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R E POU T 



UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS, 



APPOINTED TJNDER 



JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS APPROVED MAY 7, 1872. 



n 



DECEMBER 10, 1872. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PEINTINa OFFICE. 

1872, 



66 L 



E E P R T 



UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS^ 

AITOINTED UNDER 

Joint rcsohition of Congress, approved May 7, 1872. 



Washington, D. C, December 10, 1872. 

Sir: The Uuited States Coiuniissiouers to Texas, appointed imder 
joint lesolutiou of the Senate and Honse of Eepresentatives of the 
United States in Congress assembled, approved by the President on 
May 7, 1S72, have the honor to snbniit the following report. 

The dnties enjoined npon them are defined in that resolution, and 
■will be found in the following copy herein set out : 

[RESOLUTION NOT OF GENERAL NATURE— No. 4.] 

JOINT EESOLUTIOX appointini; commissioufrs to inquire iuto depredations on the frontiers of the 

State of Texas. 

Whereas there are comphiints of many depredations having been committed for 
several years jiast npon the frontiers of tlie State of Texas, by bands of Indians and 
Mexicans, who crossed the Rio Grande River into the State of Texas, mnrdering the 
inhabitants or carrying them into captivity, and destroying or carrying awaj' the 
property of the citizens of said State; as also that bands of Indians have committed, 
and coiitinne to commit, like depredations on the property, lives, and liberty of the 
citizens along the northern and northvrestern frontiers of said State: Therefore, 

Eesolred h>i the Senate and House of Beiireseniaiivcfi of the United States of America in 
Conf/ress asseml)led, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, 
authorized and empowered to appoint three persons to act as commissioners to inquire 
into the extent and character of said depredations, by whom committed, their residence 
or country inhabited by them, the persons murdered or carried into captivity, the char- 
acter and valne of the property destroyed or carried away, from what iiortious of said 
State, and to whom the same belonged. 

Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of said commissioners, or a majority of them, as 
soon as practicable, to proceed to the frontiers of said State and take the testimony, 
under oatli, of such vsitnesses as may appear before them, after having given notice for 
ten days previous, by publication in the nearest mnvspapers of the time and place of 
their meeting, of all snch depredations, \vhen, where, by and niton whom committed, 
and shall make up and transmit to the President full reports of their said investiga- 
tions. 

Sicc. 3. That said commissioners shall be entitled to and receive as compensation for 
their services the sun* of ten dollars per day each, and their traveling expenses to 
each, fur and during the time tl^ey shall be engaged iu said service ; and the sum of six 
thousand dollars, or su much tfujreof as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, 
appropriated to pay the expenWs of said iuvestigation. and said commissioners. 

Aiiproved ilay 7J 1872. 

Under the authority above given the commissioners assembled at 
Xew Orleans, Louisiana, on July o and 0, 1872, and, after effecting an. 
organization, proceeded to that part of the State of Texas iu which the 
alleged disorders called for the earliest attention. 



ti KEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

The public sessions of tbe couuiiission, duly advertised, were com- 
menced on July 30, and continued until October 3, 1872, at ^Ybicb time 
tbe amount of testimony, number of claims, and gravity of tlie present 
situation of affairs on tbe frontier demanded a return to Wasbingtoii 
for tbe submitting' of a report (if only preliminary in cbara(;ter) to tbe 
Department. Tbe fact tbat tbe appio[)riation at tbe disposal of tbe 
commission was exbausted would bave obliged tbe step above men- 
tioned, apart from any otbcr considerations. 

Tbe Rio Grande frontier was traversed by tbe commissioners from Point 
Isabel to Rio Grande City, personal examination of tbe localities of tbe 
reported outrages tbus being made. The continual ]>resence at Browns- 
ville of parties aggrieved and the amount of official business thus seek- 
ing the commissioners prevented them from reaching any other part of 
the territory named in tbe joint resolution than the river-frontier above 
mentioned. 

The depredations referred to nuiy be generally divided, according to 
class and locality, into — 

First, the cattle-stcalinfj along the Rio Grande. 

Second, the Indian depredations on the line of the Rio Grande. 

Third, the Indian depredations on the northern and north tvestern frontiers 
of the State of Texas. 

Tbe cattle-stealing outrages on the Rio (irande may be divided into 
two classes: 

First, those occurring between its mouth and Laredo, and 

Second, deprcnlations committed on that line between Laredo and El 
Paso. 

The Indian depredations on the Rio Grande are alleged to be tbe acts 
of the Kickai)0()s, Lipans, Seminoles, ('arrizo and other Indians operat- 
ing against tiie persons and pro])erty of Texan frontier settlers, from 
their secure haunts in Mexi(;o, tbe states of Cliibuahua and Coabuila 
which have given these scattered tribes a refuge, if not comfort and 
protection. 



The work performed by tbe commissioners has been a careful and 
thorough examination of the cattle-stealing disorders and other depre- 
dations on the Lower Rio Grande, and on tbe tract lying between thtit 
part of tbe boundary -line and tbe Nueces River. 

By reference to the evidence and documents in tbe possession of tbe 
commissioners it will be seen tbat the facts set forth herein are estab- 
lished beyond a doubt, and they represent, with conbdence, a state of 
lawlessness on that portion of the frontier which has come under their 
immediate observation calling for tbe serious and immediate consid- 
eration of this Government. 

Tbe Indian depredations on tbe Rio Grande, with the important sub- 
ject of the menaced frontier, have been readied only collaterally, but tbe 
commissioners feel warranted in presenting their views on tliis point. 

Tbe extent and gravity of the reported disorders on the Upper Rio 
Grande, and the continued outrages of Indians on the northern and 
north-western frontiers, call for the most careful examination in future, 
these remote regions being difticult of access, travel only possible in 
stages, and, from tbe nature of tbe case, much time must be expended 
before a definite and full report can be made. The most urgent letters 
have been received from this part of the State, but tbe commissioners 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COiDIISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 6 

were unable to to do luoretlian assure the writers that the earliest at- 
tention would be paid to their needs. 

In the thinly i)opulated portions of Texas referred to the suffering's 
of the settlers are grievous. lienioved from every oi)portunity of idle 
or vicious life, and scattered over :\ country subject to continual Indiau 
incursion, they are a class of citizens whose exposure to outrage is 
very great. The lack of communication prevents a speedy presentation 
of their claims, and the commissioners respectfully submit that every 
opportunity should be given to these scattered people, by the personal 
visits of the proper parties, to place on record their losses. 

From the information in the i)Ossession of the commissioners, there 
is little room left for doubt that in the future much valuable testimony 
may be obtained from these sufferers who cannot leave unguarded 
homes to travel long distances to any point of assembly; and that 
two or more years will be the shortest time in which a thorough ex- 
amination of all the branches of the work to be performed by this com- 
mission can be made. 

The labor assigned by the resolution creating the commission is one of 
great magnitude, as will be seen on examination of the vast territory to 
be traversed in the prosecution of their investigation, which comprehends 
the counties bordering the Eio Grande in tiers of three deep, and those 
on the northern and northwestern frontiers of the State of Texas, sub- 
ject to Indian incursions, embracing in all an area of over one hundred 
and twenty-live thousand square miles. 

Eeferriiig to the region personally traversed, and to those depreda- 
tions, Vvhich have been thoroughly examined, the commissioners report 
in obedience 'to instructions the ibllowing facts touching the condition 
of affairs on the Lower Eio Grande frontier: 

The country lying hdiccen the Nueces Blver and the Bio Gmnde, and its 

local interests. 

The tract of lon<l lying between the Nueces and Eio Grande rivers, 
comprises (on the Lower Eio Grande) the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, 
Starr, Webb, La Salle, Encinal, Duval, Zapata, Live Oak, McMullen, 
and Nueces, a tract of land three hundred miles long, and from one to 
two hundred miles in width. 

The assessment-roll of 1870 sbov, ed in these counties an ownership of 
nearly five million acres of land. This region is one vast prairie, and 
is given up to the raising of beef-c;,ttle for the general markets of the 
country, and also the breeding of horses. 

Between the Nueces and Eio Grande Elvers, the Arroyo Colorado, 
a salt-water inlet, divides the grassy prairie between it and the Nueces 
from the sandy desert stretching on its other side along the Eio Grande. 
This sandy tract bears only the mesquit shrub — the vegetation due to 
the winding Eio Grande forming a thin fringe along its low banks. 
This dry waste was formerly considered to be an efficient safeguard 
to the interior of Texas, and would so prove in any case save that of 
organized and expert bauds of marauders who, by strength and audacity, 
would dare to penetrate one hundred or more miles into an adjoining 
territory. 

In the tract thus described, although thinly settled, (large ranches, 
many miles apart, dotting it here and there only,) the assessment-roll of 
1870 showed an ownership in the counties named of 299,193 cattle, and 
73,593 horses, although there was no return made of the stock in Live 
Oak and McMullen Counties. The very peculiar custom of the owners 



4 EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

as to the lierding- of their stock, (which roams on tlie luifeiiced ranges,) 
as well as their interest in giving in their property for assessment, for- 
bids them making an overstatement of their cattle, while horses, more 
carefnlly gnarded, are given in at a fairer ennmeration. 

Uiifenced, save in a few isolated ii^stances, the stock-ranges of this 
region give subsistence to hundreds of thousands of cattle in excess of 
the assessed number; and under the intluence of the "northers'' these 
cattle, in grazing, move toward the south and west; large numbers thus 
inove down into this region from the valley of the upper Eio Grande 
and irom ranches beyond the Xueces. Once crossing the Nueces Eiver 
they mingle with the local herds, largely increasing their numbers, re- 
maiiiing thus strayed nutil the agent of the owner enters them in his 
annual report, and, according to his instructions sells them or returns 
them to their distant owners. The neighboring counties of Goliad, 
liefugio, San Patricio, Karnes, Atascosa, and Uvalde, contribute thous- 
ands to the once countless herds in occnpancy of this region, or to be 
reached through it. The Texas cattle range over great reaches of prairie, 
often in dry seasons going a day's march for water, returning to their 
accustomed pastures. 

Once yearly they are driven np by the rancheros, examined, branded, 
separated, the estrayed stock moved on toward their owners or dis- 
posed of, and an account, as near as may be, taken. The distances 
traversed in search of the cattle of one herd are surprising, from 50 to 
150 miles being not unusual. Ownership) is determined by the brands 
a[>plied and tiie peculiar ear-marlc, a record of brands and earmarks 
being required by law to be kept in the county clerks' oftice. These 
brands are also published in the various newsj)apers of the region as 
a standing advertisement. V\lien a herd is sold, the sale of the brand 
is recorded. In gathering the stock, the increase following the old cat- 
tle is assumed by natural law to be theirs, and is so branded. The 
custom is to sei)arate for sale four year old steers, the feumles being 
always retained in the herds for breeding. The stock-raisers' association 
of Western Texas, a body composed of the parties controlling the great 
cattle-raising interests of this region, regulates the methods of hand- 
ling the herds, decides on rules for common inotectiou, and, in attempt- 
to maintain an etticient private po lice, has shown a commendable zeal 
in protecting the interests represented by its members. In giving per- 
sonal and ofhcial notice to the various State and Mexican authorities, 
in suggesting and attemi)ting to nudce efl'ecti\'e a fair system of hide 
inspection, and in other respects, the associated stock-raiaers of West- 
ern Texas have exhausted every means at their disposal calculated to 
make the business protect itself. 

The character of the occupation in which they are engaged, the present 
value of cattle in Texas, the scarcity of lumber, together with the peculiar 
features of land-tenure, prevent, as a rule, the iencing of their ranges, 
many of them being owned in common by various rancheros holding 
complicated titles, llanches of from 10,000 to 200,000 acres are here em- 
ployed solely for stock-raising. This region, by reason of irregularity 
of the seasons, is ill adapted to agricultural pursuits, and is devoted 
entirely to grazing. Freights are high, the country has no railroad 
communication, and tlie Texan ox, a source of moderate protit to the 
breeder, passes through many hands, and pays toll to different local 
companies before reaching the northern consumer. Sometimes winter- 
ing in Kansas, at other times taii.en north and fattened, this great cattle 
interest is taxed for traissportation to an extent which well-nigh preclude 
the possibdity of the realization of any profit. 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 5 

The stock-raisers, iu tlie region referred to, are a liberal aud iu- 
dnstrious class of citizens, placed in a tryinQ- position, and the hard 
labor of years is represented in their flocks and herds. The laud they 
own has no value unless peaceable possession is assured them. The 
good feeling existing among them as a class is put in evidence by their 
general willingness to exchange powers of attorney, to protect, as far 
as possible, their mutual interests iu the recovery of strayed or stolen 
stock. The advantages to be derived from co-operation on the part of 
owners will be seen in the i'act that cattle bearing the brands of King 
& Kenedy, Hale & Farker, T. Hines Clark, and other owners of large 
herds, have been traced for hundreds of miles along the Rio Grande, 
and on the Mexican side from Monterey to Bagdad, either by the move- 
ments of the strayed or stolen cattle or handling of hides stripped 
from them. 

Refereuce to the report of the third annual fair of Texas, held at 
San Antonio, shows that a herd of seventy-five tliousand cattle will 
ordinarily range o\'er an area of country one hundred miles long and 
lifty miles wide. With expert thieves depredating on tliis property, 
it is easy to see that the damage must amount to millions of dollars. 
Herds numbering 5(>,00() and 75,000 are not unusual iu Western Texas. 
The stock-raiser, living on his isolated ranch, shows his pros[)erity in 
continually augmenting his herds of breeding-cattle by purchase, aud 
acquiring lauds for their subsistence. The yearly income is derived, 
from the sale of the steers tit for market. 

The employmeut of fr/)m 25 to 300 men in the management of these 
herds is not unusual, a id a thorough examination of the system as 
it exists (and it cannot be changed but by the growth of population, 
improvement of cattle, establishment of railroad-lines, and fencing the 
vast praries) convinces the commissioners that the stock-raisers of 
Western Texas are legitimately engaged in a business of the greatest 
local importance, indirectly affecting the whole interests of the country, 
and making subservient to the uses of man a vast area of territory- which 
would otherwise be an unin^oductive waste. 

With large ca])ital, immense herds of cattle, and men aud material 
in proportion, it is the conviction of the commissioners that this interest 
is one of sufficient magnitude to have extended over it the protecting 
arm of this Government, otherwise, although now of national impor- 
tance, it must soon perish at the hands of bands of freebooters, who 
find a safe refuge on the convenient shores of our sister republic of 
Mexico, aud the residents of this frontier left stripped of the fruits of 
years of thrift and industry. Where possible, stock-raisers inclose land 
as I'npidly as their means will allow, and in one case, forty miles of 
fence, between two arms of Cor})us Christi Bay, have been recently 
built, inclosing the vast herds of Mifflin Kenedy. The prosperity of 
this region rests on the basis of quiet occupation of the stock raiiges 
and eflicient protection. Where local irregularities do not at all aftect 
this business it can only be some fatal external intluence which will 
bring ruin on men thus legitimately engaged. The general features of 
horse-raising do not differ from the plan pursued with regard to cattle, 
save that more care is necessarily taken with the herds. Needed in 
large numbers for continual use, the herds of horses are generally ke]>t 
around the headquarters of the owners, and are thus more effectually 
protected. As large numbers of horses are used and worn out in the 
herding of cattle, this species of property (although a valuable adjunct 
to the cattle interest) is seldom a source of income. 

The commissioners, having endeavored to sketch out the vast extent 



6 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS, 

of tbe interests involved, proceed, ^Yith direct reference to the facts, to 
an examination of the past and i)resent condition of the stock-raising- 
interests of the Rio Grande frontier. 

At the close of the war of the rebellion these plains were covered 
with vast herds of cattle, largely increased bj the years of the war, as 
the northern market was closed and cattle for the confederacy were ob- 
tained from Xorthern and Eastern Texas. The evidence of all the ex- 
perts examined before the commission establishes the alarming fact that 
in this region the nnmber of cattle to-day is between one-third and 
one-fourth of the nnmber in 18'»0. 

The rate of increase of cattle in Texas is 33^ i^er cent, per annnm, as 
shown by the concurrent testimony of nearly one hundred witnesses 
examined before the commission, embracing experts of every kind, 
citizens disinterested and parties in interest. This opinion is fully con- 
firmed b}' W. G. Kingsbnry's " Essay on Cattle-liaising," report 3d an- 
nual fair of Texas, (page 41;) also by Major Sweet's pamphlet, (isage G;) 
also by Texan Almanac, (page L'OO.) 

The annual sales of beef cattle but seldom, if ever, exceed one-half the 
yearly increase, as the evidence goes to show that the cows are always 
kept for breeding purposes, that no local disease, drought, or unusual 
sales have oc.^urred calculated to reduce these herds below their average 
numbers; an<l the records of these counties show but little, if any, com- 
plaint of local cattle-stealijig. 

The commissioners feel fully warranted in expressing the opinion that 
for years past, especially since 1800, and even before, armed bands of 
Mexicans have continually employed the safe refuge of an adjoining- 
territory and the favorable liver frontier to cross from Mexicio into 
Texas, in strong parties, collect and drive away intolMexico unnnmbered 
herds of cattle from this region. These thieves have, with astonishing- 
boldness, penetrated at times 100 miles and even farther into Texas, ami 
by day and night have carried on this wholesale plundering, emj)]oying- 
force and intimidation in all cases where resistance or remonstrance was 
met with. Confederates living along the banks of the river have been 
used in this nefarious trade, while honest residents have been forced to 
kee}> silence or fiy. 

The Mexican bank of the liio Grande (Bravo) is occui>ied by numbers 
of ranches, fnrnishing a convenient rendezvons for these nsarauders, from 
whence they carry on openly their operations, often leading to conliicts. 
Pursnit to the river-bank in many cases has been mocked at ; the inetl'ect- 
ual eftbrts of customs officers ami inspectors have been jeered at, and this 
region made to snffer from the continual scourge of these thieves. The 
butchers of the frontier Mexican towns, the stock-dealers, and, in numy 
cases, the heads of the various ranches on the Mexican side, have par- 
ticipated in the profits, encouraged the work, and protected the 
olfenders. The Mexican local authorities, as a rule, civil and military, 
have been cognizant of these outrages, and have (with one or two lionor- 
able exceptions) protected the offenders, defeated with technical objec- 
tions attempts at recovery of the st(»len i)roperty, assisted in maintaining 
bands of thieves, or directly and o[>enly have dealt in the plunder or 
appropriated it to their i)ersonal uses. In all cases coming before 
these corrupt oiFicials, thoroughl^^ acquainted by personal and official 
notification and ])ul)lic iiotoriety of this serious and continual breach of 
international rights, they have either protected the criminal and shared 
with him the property stolen, or else have confessed an inability to 
check the outrages and punish the offenders. 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. < 

The local autlioiides of ]\latnmoras, Mier, Bagdad, Caiiiari>o, and 
otlier fi'ontier Mexiciu towns have been repeateilly notified of these 
ooniplieations; the United States and Mexican military anthorities have 
corresponded thereon ; the supreme government of JMexico has been 
duly apprised of the state of the border by earnest corresi)ondence of 
United States civil and military officers, transmitted through the Amer- 
ican minister, to which attention is specially called; and in the opinion 
of the commissioners, with the excei)tion of the tardy recall of General 
Juan N. Cortina, (in March, 1872,) no step tending toward an auncable 
and honest vindication of the Mexican people has been taken ; while to 
evince her good faith and earnest desire for the enforcement of the laws, 
tlie State of Texas has lately organized and maintained a system of cattle 
and hide inspections, in which un<lertaking she is ablv seconded by the 
Stock Kaisers' Assotriatiou of Western Texas. Private i)arties have 
api)ointed local agents to i)rote(!t their interests, the local press has ap- 
pealed ineffectually to the reason of the Mexicans, and called in vain for 
the execution of tlie laws. 

That the action of the loca.l Mexican autl!oriti<^s, has been characterized 
by {lui)licity, connivance at fraud, or a comjdete subserviency to a corrui)t 
military rule, there seems to be but little room left for douVit; while the 
records of the military authorities of Mexico, occui)ying the frontier, 
(especially the nyime of General Juan I^epomu(;ene Cortina from 
1870 to 1872,) is one which calls for immediate action on the part, 
of the Mexican government in disavowing the a(;ts, disgracing the of- 
fi'uders, and effecting with the victims of these highhanded outrages 
such an adjustment of their claims as impartial justice requires. 

Under the frying circumstances of beiug confronted on the opposite 
bank of the Kio Grande by a foreign army, wdiich has given protec- 
tion tor a series of years to the invaders of American territory, the 
United States has through its officers kept peace, preserved neutrality, 
and acted with candor and justice, mindful of its long established 
friendly feeling for a sister republic. The left bank of the Kio Grande 
1ms always been sought as a base for insurrectionary operations against 
the ephemeral govei'uments of Mexico, and the United States has in all 
Ci'.ses acted with commendable prouiittuess in maintaining strict neu- 
trality. 

Wlnie the United States has improved every opportunity to execute 
in good faith her treaty obligations and settle on an equitable and just 
basis all existing ditierenees with the republic of Mexico, and the State 
of Texas has taxed her treasury to execute laws unnecessary save to 
repel the invasion of her territory by Mexican outlaws who have made 
life and property unsafe on her soil — the theater of their cold-blooded 
and brutal murders, the evidence adduced before the commission war- 
rants the conclusion that the indifference on the part of the Mexican 
government touching her international obligations and the condition of 
affairs on her northern frontier, has been studied. 

The harassing question oi' ^he Zoiui Libra it does not fall within 
the province of the commissioners to examine, but they feel called on to 
notice the extension of this zone in opposition to the most friendly re- 
monstrances of the United States, as another evidence of the si)irit which 
has characterized the jxdicy of the jMexican government in its dealings 
with the United States for a series of years. 

In giving a resuaie of the evidence taken before the commission 
touching the disorders on the frontier, we trace their cause i)rinmrily to 
the effete and corrupt, and, in many instances, powerless local civil 
authorities of Northern Mexico, the almost universal demoralization of 



8 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

the iiiliabitants of the Mexican frontier, tlie supremacy of a corrupt 
and overbearing- military influence, giving form and aid to the lawless 
expeditions that have been set on foot in Mexico for years past to 
invade and plunder the exposed frontier of Western Texas, the un- 
friendly legislation on the ]>artof the law-making- i)o\ver of the republic 
of Mexico, which has made the Zona Libra, on the right bank of the 
Rio Grande, a depot on our immediate line for the reception of goods, 
duty free, to be smuggled over our borders, with the annual loss to us 
of millions of revenue, or the alterimtive of studding this portion of 
our western boundary with an expensive army of customs-inspectors. 
The establishment of this "tree zone,"j;(?r se, militated against tlie com- 
mercial interests of the United States; and when followed up by the 
appointment of Brigadier-General Juan iST. Cortina to the command of 
the line of the Bravo, in 1870, where he remained in command until 
March, 1S72, the terror of the residents of the Texan frontier, and the 
aider and participant in a series of lawless acts, the action of the 
^Mexican authorities in this regard can only be interpreted as a direct 
blow at the commerce of our western frontier; and the maintenance of 
a military force there, under the leadersbi[) of a commander whose 
career for murder, arson, and robbery finds no parallel in the annals 
of crime, and whose retention in the command of the northern trontier 
of Mexico -puts in evidence the inability of the ]\[exican government to 
cope with this outlaw and his followers, or else his assignment to this 
]>osition by his government for the performance of a work which had 
for its object the annihilation of the commercial and industrial interests 
of our south-western frourier. 

DESCRIPTION OF CATTLE-STEALING. 

The testimony in the possession of the commission bearing- on the 
operations of the cattle-thieves infesting' the banks of the Lower Eio 
Grande, shows a total loss of 827,sr)l),3();3y'Lc_^ inchuling stock stolen, per- 
sonal outrages, and the destruction and spoliation of other proi)erty. 

A detailed statement of each claimant is set forth in one hundred and 
two petitions, and supi)orted by the evidence of three hundred and 
lilty-four witnesses. 

The amount of property taken and destroyed, the long continuance 
with imjnuiity of these outrages upon our soil by Mexicans crossing our 
borders, in the ])reseuce of the Army of the United States and the au- 
thority of a sovereign State of this Union, are matters of sufiicient public 
concern, in our judgment, to require at our hands, even at the risk of 
being- considered tedious, a statement in detail of the manner in which 
these cattle-thieves have carried on their illicit traftic for so many years, 
in defiance of the civil and military authorities charged with the duty 
of giving- protection to the lives and property of the residents on our 
frontier. 

The character and extent of the territory on Mhich these depredations 
have been committed for so umny years past ofi'er facilities for the 
commission of crime to an extent not to be found in any other part of 
this country. Expeditions for the i)urpose of cattle-stealing in Texas 
liave generally been organized on the right bank of the Kio Grande, in 
the State of Tamaulipas, although not unfrequently, as a change of base, 
in the State of Coahuila. The usen engage<l in this work are Mexicans, 
well mounted, carrying hre-arms of the most approved pattern, and n.ot 
unfrequently belong to the regular army of Mexico. 

Thoroughly acclimated and accustomed to the hardships and exposure 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES CO^MMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 9 

incident to a frontier life, these bandSj.-raounted, armed, and provisioned 
for Ihe expedition, have but the shallow waters of the Uio Grande and <i 
journey of from one to three days before them, olten witiiout water for man 
or beast, ere they reach the grazing regions of the iS[ueces, and t he n nmerous 
herds of cattle to be found in that valley. Systematic in all their move- 
ments, and thoroughly conversant with the routes of travel and the water- 
holes leading to the grass regions, these bands, when ready, lose no time 
in dividing themselves into squads, averaging five or more, according 
to the circumstances surrounding them, and, crossing at dillerent points 
the Kio Grande, a stream whose sinuosities describe every point of the 
compass, they enter the dense mesquit fringing its banks, and emerge 
from it into the highways, or continue on their Journey under its cover, 
as may best suit their purpose, until they reach the place of rendezvous, 
designated by scouts previously sent out. 

Having made their selection of cattle from the herds, not unfrequeutly 
to the number of sixteen hundred, according to their necessities and the 
circuujstances of the case, no time is lost in VHishing them without rest 
under the cover of night (or in open day, if strong enough to resist 
attack) to the river, a point having been previously designated for this 
l)urpose, at which they are met by confederates coming from the Mexi- 
can bank, with every facility, including decoy cattle, boats, &C., for the 
rapid transit of their booty to Mexican soil, where it is used by the 
Mexican army, disposed of to the butchers of Matamoras, Mier, and 
Camargo, sold in open market lor the benefit of the thieves, or, after 
being rebranded, used to stock the ranches on the Mexican frontier. 
The crossing of these bands of Mexicans in small squads into Texas at- 
tracts no attention there, for it is within the bounds of thepiobabilitie.s 
of the case to estimate the Mexicans as composing at least SO per cent, 
of the entire population of the frontier of Western Texas. 

The expedients resorted to by these thieves to avoid detection, and 
more es]>ecially the dissemination of such information as would enable 
stock-raisers to organize and pursue them, varies according to the exi- 
gencies of their situation. Localities where cattle are being selected 
from herds have every approach, used for miles around, guarded with 
members of these bands, who in various ingenious w;;ys succeed m 
warning olf passers-by, not unusually taking life to ac(;omi>lish their 
]an-pose. Where the distance is so great as to make it necessary to 
occupy more than one day or nighr, as the case njay be, in driving the 
stolen cattle to the river, they are corralled at some unfrequented point 
on the way, and pickets thrown out for miles around as additional safe- 
guards against surprise. Instances have occurred where private resi- 
dences situated on the route traveled by these bands have been placed 
under guard, to i)revent information of the movements of the tiiieves 
from being known until the stolen cattle had been driv^en a sufdcient 
distance to make successful ])ursuit impossible. 

AVith the posts occupied by the United States forces on this extensive 
frontier, in some instances hundreds of miles apart, and generally garri- 
soned by infantry, with not more than one sheriff to every fifty miles of 
the territory exposed to these incursions, the facility with which these 
bands have carried on their operations lor so many years, in defiance of 
all authority, should no longer be wondered at. 

For a more full understanding of tlie system of cattle-stealing, which 
has well-nigh broken up the business of stock-raising on the immediate 
fiontier of Western Texas, we direct particular attention to the following 
extracts from the evidence taken before the commission. 



10 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Extracts from the evidence tcdrn before the commissioners in rmard to 

cattJe-steaJing. 

1S59. 

Ignacio Garcia loses one liundred cattle, three yoke oxen, and thirty 
to t'oity mares, stolen by armed Mexicans under Juan N. Cortina. — (See 
deposition No. 17.) 

Carlos Esparza loses six hundred cattle and eiii'lity horses, stolen by 
armed Mexicans under Juan IS". Cortina. — (See deposition No. 18.) 

Thaddeus M. Rhodes loses forty horses, stolen by armed Mexicans 
under Juan N. Cortina. — (See deposition No. 21.) 

18G1. 

William Bnrl-e, (now lieutenant of State police.) saw, in the spring' of 
18G1, two to three hundred Texan cattle being driven off to Mexico by 
forty to fifty armed iMexicans. The cattle were sold at Camargo, IMex- 
ico. — (See tleposition No. 4.) 

William BurJce saw eighty Texan cattle crossed by armed Mexican 
thieves into Mexico, near Los Nogales, Mexico. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

Ramon Rodriguez saw herds of Texan cattle driven over into Mexico 
by organized bands of cattle-thieves, in 18G1. — (See deposition No. 58.) 

1SC5. 

Villi lam T>i'rl-c saw two hundred Texan cattle crossed into IMexico by 
seven armed cattle-thieves, three miles below Brownsville. — (See depo- 
sition No. 4.) 

William I). Tliomas saw stolen herds of Texan cattle in ^lexico, near 
Matamoras, in 1805. — (See deposition No 10.) 

Ramon Rodriguez saw armed bands of Mexican thieves drive over to 
Mexico herds of Texan cattle. — (See deposition No. ^S.) 

18G0. 

Frani: Bylcr saw forty stolen Texan cattle at Esteiito Eancho, in Mex- 
ico, in six armed Mexicans. — (See deposition No. 50.) 

Frank Byler saw, at Monterey, Mexico, stolen catile belonging- to T. 
Hines Ciark, of Texas. — (See deposition No. 50.) 

Alexander ]\I. Sanders testifies that, in 18G<i, and later, droves of stolen 
Texan cattle, from thirty to two hundred in number, were crossed and 
sold at Camargo and Mier, Mexico. Some were sold by civil authorities. 
Witness recovered two stolen cattle, in 18(JG, at lloma, from Pablo Oliv- 
arez, who was taking tliem to Mexico. — (See deposition No. 28.) 

Yincente Salazar saw armed Mexican thieves gather and drive away 
a herd of cattle from Louis llenaud's ranch in Texas.— (See deposition 
No. 70.) 

18G7. 

Elder B. Barton recaptured, fifty miles from Brownsville, twenty-eight 
head from a herd of three hundred and fifty stolen Texan cattle, which 
were being driven away by Mexican thieves. — (See de]>osition No. 42.) 

James F. tSeott saw cattle stolen from T. H. Clark in Mexico.— (See 
deposition No. G7.) 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 11 

1868. 

W. I). Thomas saw Louis Lopez, a Mexican cattlethief, with one hun- 
dred liead of stolen Texan cattle, within a mile of Matamoras, Mexico, 
in May. The cattle were sold to Airiola or Carriola, a butcher of Mata- 
moras, for $2 a head. Carriola says : "I bought them ; I do not care a 
d — n." — (See deposition No. IG.) 

W. 1). Thomas saw one Ensualdo with four or 13 ve hundied stolen 
Texan cattle, driving- them along a road near Matamoras, in Mexico, 
and is threatened by him, — (See deposition No. 10.) 

W. D. Thomas testitles that Carriola, a butcher of Matamoras, in Sep- 
tember advanced $2.0 to one Palacios to bring him twenty stolen beeves 
from Texas. — (See deposition No. 10.) 

Inspector Thomas J. Handy saw a lai'ge herd of Texan cattle success- 
fidly crossed at xignas Negras, into ]\Iexico, by armed Mexican cattle- 
thieves, after a skirmish. — (See deposition No. 32.) 

Justo Lopez saw eighty head of stolen Texas catt/e, near llancho 
''■ Los Naraiijas," being driven over to Mexico by armed cattle-thieves. 
He dared not interfere. — (See deposition No. 33.) 

1869. 

Yiotor Moreli w'ith assistance, recaptured several herds of cattle from 
Mexican cattle-thieves near Eio Grande City. — (See deposition No. 157.) 

Cccilio Vela, near El Jabaliu, in Texas, thirty miles below Kio Grande 
City, recaptured thirty-three head of stolen Texan cattle from Mexican 
thieves. — (See de])Osition No. 100.) 

Henry Klahn, appointed to represent the citizens of Western Texas, 
as a resideut hide-inspector at Matamoras, was assisted by Judge Au- 
gustin Menchaca, was resisted by one Longoria, a hide-dealer, Judge 
Menchaca being succeeded by General Don Pedro Hinojosa. The in- 
spector was notihed by the latter that he could not support hiui with 
assistance, and the inspector resigned, returning to Texas. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 170.) 

1870. 

Francisco Martinez found Mexican cattle-thieves in possession of the 
dwellings on the " Saino rancho" in Texas. The family of Sehor 
Becerra, the resident, were under guard. Martinez, escaping to neighbor- 
ing ranches, with the assistance of friends, attacked the thieves and re- 
captured some stolen cattle. Forty-two were recaptured ; over one 
liuudred had been crossed into Mexico, and were not recovered. — (See 
deposition No. 5.) 

Juan Sanchez confirms the precediug evidence ; was present, and as- 
sisted in the light. — (See deposition No. 7.) 

W. I). Thomas, at Eancho Laguna Tio Cano, saw herds of cattle driven 
oft" nearly every week in 1870, atid did not dare to interfere with the 
armed thieves. — (See deposition No. 10.) 

Carlos Esparza testihes that he, with Ignacio Garcia, recaptured one 
hundred cattle from armed Mexican cattle-thieves. — (See deposition 
No. 18.) 

Justo Lopez saw J. M. Martinez (now deceased) successfully cross two 
to three hundred stolen cattle into Mexico, near Las Cuevas. — (See 
deposition No. 33.) 

Anycl Aguirre saw seven stolen cattle, belongiug to Alexander Wier- 
biski, of Texas, near Mesquitito, in Mexico. — (See deposition No. 31.) 



12 EErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

ApoUlnarlo Hernandez (tlieu a Mexican soldier) saw fi\'c liundrecl 
stolen Texan cattle crossed into Mexico, by cattle-thieves, at La Tiolsa 
ranch, in June. Nicholas Solis (then alcalde of the Soliseiio precinct, 
State of Tamaulipas, and D. Peiia bought the cattle of the thieves for 
$2.50 a head, and sold them to JJyouisjio Cardenas (now alcalde of JMata- 
moras) for $5 each. — (See deposition No. 37.) 

Thomas Bcijnon recaptured a herd of stolen cattle from anned thieves 
from Mexico, near Laiiuua Ulanca. in Texas. — (See deposition Xo. 83.) 

Cecilia Vela, near San Jose, in Starr County, Texas, (forty-rive miles 
from Itio Gra.nde City,) recaptured from Mexican cattle tliieves fifty 
stolen cattle. — (See deposition No. 100.) 

Cecilio Vela, two or three months after the preceding- occurrence, near 
San Jose, recaptured sixty-seven head of stolen cattle irorn six armed 
thieves, who abandoned the cattle and tied. — (See deposition No. IGO.) 

Cecilio Vela recaptured twenty-eight stolen cattle near La Grulla, in 
Texas, the Mexican thieves escaping. — (See deposition No. 100.) 

Cecilio Vela recaptured from armed Mexican thieves thirteen head 
and his son eighteen head of stolen cattle, near Las Comitas, the thieves 
escaping. — (See deposition No. 100.) 

1S71. 

Ron. Thomas F. Wilson, L^nited States consul at Matamoras, while 
traveling in Texas, between Laredo and Eagle Pass, saw ]>eople driving- 
cattle tov.ard Mexico ; supposed them to be thieves. — (See deposition 
No. 2.) 

William Barl'G (lieutenant of State police) saw five hundred Texan 
cattle crossed into Mexico, at Las Cuevas, by thieves. There were 
thirty to sixty arsned men with the herd. Burke shot at the thieves. — 
(See deposition No. 4.) 

William Bnrl-e (lieutenant of State police) testifies that armed Mexi- 
can cattle-thieves drove over two hundred stolen Texan cattle into 
Mexico, at Los Grullos rancho, in Starr County. Burke and Henderson 
(State police) went to Camargo, j\lexico, and claimed the cattle as 
stolen. Alcalde Elijio Garcia, of that idace, refused on technical grounds 
to deliver them. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

Inspectors Albert Dean and T. J. Handi/, United States customs ser- 
vice, in March, went to Las Cuevas ranch ; found armed Mexican 
thieves crossing cattle over the river, and were iired on. They saw 
thirty to fifty cattle on the Mexican bank, Just crossed, and ten to twenty 
in the water crossing. Five or six remained on the Texan side. — (See 
deposition No. 0.) 

Carlos Esparza and Ifpiaeio Garcia captured, near Calaboso ranch, 
fifteen or twenty cattle from armed JMexican thieves, after a fight. They 
captured also a Mumber of liorses and saddles. One hundred cattle had 
been crossed. — (See deposition No. 18.) 

Thaddens M. A7;or?e.s, justice of the peace, sent a posse, and recaptured 
forty stolen cattle fromarmed Mexican cattle-thieves, A. de Leon, their 
leader, escaping.— (See dei)osition No. 27.) 

Benito Garcia saw one Jurado, a Mexican cattle-thief, cross a large 
drove of stolen cattle into Mexico, near San Pedro ranch.— (See deposi- 
tion No. 23.) 

Alexander Wierhiski saw armed Mexican thieves with forty-eight 
stolen cattle; pursued them, and recaptured the cattle. — (See deposition 
No. 25.) 

Anaclito Padrou, a soldier in the Mexican army, was sent by General J. 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 13 

]!:>f. Cortina to protect the crossings of vstolen cattle at Tabuacbal rancho, 
on tlie Mexican side, in June, 1871. Two hundred cattle were there 
crossed. They were stolen ironi Texas, and were personally ajtpropriated 
by General Cortina. — (See dei)Osition No. L'G.) 

Blcardo Florcn, in June, 1871, attacked the Lugo or Lubo brothers 
and their party of Mexican cattle-thieves, near lieparo ranch, in Texas; 
killed Lubo, and recajitured two hundred stolen cattle, which were 
delivereil to Judge J. Galvan, of Brownsville, Texas, for sale on owners' 
account. — (See deposition No. 27.) 

Alexander 31. Sanders testMiQS that, in 1871, a herd of stolen cattle, 
being crossed into jNIexico by cattle-thieves, stampeded, and eighty of 
the cattle returned to the Texan side. — (See deposition No. 28.) 

Inspector Thomas J. Handy, United States customs service, contirms 
the testimony of Inspector Albert Dean as to the crossing of the herd of 
stolen cattle at Las Cuevas in 1871. — (See deposition No. 32.) 

ApoUinario Hernandez (a soldier of the Mexican army) saw one hun- 
dred stolen cattle penned at Santa liita, in Mexico, twelve miles from 
Matamoras, on September 13, 1871. Captain Sabas Garcia, Mexican 
army, and Secundo Garza (a soldier of Cortina's) were in possession of 
them. Cortina was there personally dividing the stock. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 37.) 

Ap<dUnario Hernandez (a soldier of the Mexican army) testifies that 
the Holguines brothers, notorious IMexican cattle-thieves, crossed four 
or five hundred stolen cattle into jMexico at Los Fresnos or Kucia ran- 
cho. Chief Justice Trinidad G. Doria, of Matamoras, imprisoned the 
Holguines, who were captured; Cortina liberated them. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 37.) 

ApoUinario Hernandez (a former soldier of the Mexican army) saw a 
herd of stolen Texan cattle at the Chiltipin raucho iu Mexico. — (See 
deposition No. 37.) 

Ramon Garcia saw a herd of three hundred stolen Texan cattle near 
the Arroyo Colorado, in Texas, being driven away toward Mexico by 
Captain Sabas Garcia (Mexicau army) and one Gregorio Villareal. — 
(See deposition No. 48.) 

Giirmesiendo Castaneda saw, in July, 1871, frequent droves of stolen 
Texan cattle crossed into Mexico at Eucias rancho, in Cameron County, 
Texas ; he saw two or three herds crossed iu the day-time, (one of one 
hundred and another of two hundred head,) the thieves generally 
crossing them at night. — (See deposition No. 51.) 

Francisco Jlunf/Hia saw three hundred stolen cattle, in the possession 
of eight armed thieves, pass Cotillo ranch going to Mexico on July 2, 
1871. — (See deposition No. 57.) 

Ramon Rodrigiiez^m the fall of 1871, saw Captain Sabas Garcia, of the 
Mexican army, driving away a herd of two hundred and fifty stolen 
Texan cattle. — (See deposition No. 58.) 

Ramon Rodriguez., in September, 1871, aided in capturing- Juan Paz 
(a Mexican cattie-thief) with thirty-tive head of stolen Texan cattle, near 
Santa liosa ranch, iu Texas. — (See deposition No. 58.) 

Carlos Castaneda saw at Eucias ranch (thirty miles from Brownsville) 
in July two droves crossed of one hundred and two hundred head of 
stolen cattle by armed thieves, who took them to Mexican soil. — (See 
deposition No. 59.) 

Lonis Renaud (captain of a company raised by stock-raisers' associa- 
tion of Western Texas) exchanges shots at Calabozo rancho with armed 
thieves, under command of Lubo or Lugo, who were driving cattle into 
Mexico from Texas. — (See deposition No. 88.) 



14 EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Jacinto Hernandez follows a berd of stolen cattle to the river. They 
were talveii from near lieytamitas by the Lubos or Lngos and their fol- 
lowers. — (See deposition No. 1(39.) 

Inspector Thomas C. Sheldon, United States customs service, on duty 
March 4, 1871, near Banco ranch, in Te^xas, saw eighty armed men cross- 
ing a herd of about five hundred cattle, and was warned by a friend not 
to api)roach, as the thieves were looking for him. ]\Iany of the thieves 
thus engaged were soldiers under General J. N. Cortina's command. — 
(See deposition No. 8.) 

1872. 

Captain Sahas Garcia, ]\Iexican army, brags that he crossed four hun- 
dred stolen cattle from Texas into Mexico on another occasion, on July 
5, 1871*. — (See deposition jSTo. 8.) 

Inspector Sheldon, on April 1, 1872, sleej)ing at Eucias ranch, on the 
Texan side of the river, in a corral, was awakened near daylight by the 
noise of shots, and saw fifty armed Mexi(;an thieves pass, driving abont 
four hundred stolen cattle, which they crossed successfully. Tlie in- 
spector, being alone, (tould not prevent the raid. — (See dejiosition No. 8.) 

Antonio Gutierrez, on February 10, 1872. stop[)ed Mexicans driving 
away some stolen cattle, recapturing eight belonging to Alexander Wier- 
biski and two of Vera brothers. — (See deposition No. 10.) 

TV". i>. Thomas, on February 25, 1872, went to Stillman's ranch, and 
found peo[>le excited, from three to four hundred cattle, driven by 
thieves from Mexico, having passed. He endeavored to raise men to 
pursue them. Failing in this, was shot at by the thieves as he proceeded 
on hisjournei", but followed at a distance the stolen herd, which passed 
by Irwin's ranch, going toward Mexico. — (See deposition No. IG.) 

"^ Thaddens M. lihodes^ justice of the peace, sent men to recapture a herd 
of stolen Texan cattle, which were being driven away by a band under 
Kaiael. Five hundred cattle were recaptured, the thieves escaping. — 
(See deposition No. 21.) 

Ihaddeus M. Rhodes, justice of the peace, sent another posse to pursue 
Mexican thieves under the same leader, Eafael. One hundred cattle 
were crossed by them at La Bolsa; some broken-down cattle were recap- 
tured. — (See deposition No. 21.) 

Alexander M. Sanders saw many stolen Texan horses in Camargo, 
Mexico. Cortina's orderlies and soldiers were mounted on them. — (See 
deposition No. 28.) 

Antonio Tigerina testifies that, in February, 1872, armed Mexican cat- 
tle-thieves gatliered a herd of Texan cattle near his ranch, ten or twelve 
miles from Brownsville. Having alarmed his neighbors, he proceeded 
to Matamoras and Ibund some of the thieves selling a portion of the 
stolen herd to Dyonisio Cardenas, a butcher, (now alcalde of Matamoras.) 
Obtaining assistance from the police, he searched for the remainder of 
the cattle, having friends with him. Finding them at Carriola's, (another 
dealer's,) and being fired on by the thieves, Tigerina and friends charged 
the thieves and recovered the cattle. — (See dei)osition No. 31.) 

Antonio Tigerina was at the fight with Mexican cattle-thieves at the 
Calaboso rancho. — (See deposition No. 31.) 

Inspectors Handy and Sheldon, United States customs service, saw sev- 
enty to eighty armed Mexicans, in Mar-h, 1872, on the Mexican bank of 
the*^ river, "opposite Floridas rancho. These men had five to six hundred 
stolen cattle in their possession. Men were in military uniforms, armed 
with sabers, revolvers, and repeating weapons. Covering parties were 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 15 

drawn np in military order. As the cattle Lad been crossed, the in- 
spectors, without help, dared not interfere. — (See deposition No 32.) 

Gregorio ViUarcal testihes that a large lot of stolen Texan cattle for 
General J. N. Cortina were brought in 1872 to him at Camargo, Mexico, 
hy J. and J. ]\I. iSosa. — (See deposition xs"©. 47.) 

Ramon Garcia testified that stolen Texan cattle were delivered to 
General Cortina at Esterito rancho, on the Mexican side, in 1872. — (See 
de])ositiou No. 48.) 

Jacinto Hernandez, on January 15, 1872, near Arroyo Colorado, in 
Texas, met live armed Mexicans, and following them thirty, driving- 
four hundred stolen Texan cattle toward Mexico. — (See deposition No. 
53.) 

Francisco Rodrif/ncz met, on Jfarch 20, 1872, between Cotillo and Santa 
Eosa ranches, six Mexican soldiers, who detained him, although he was 
on the Texan side. The same day a large herd of stolen cattle was 
driven over to Mexico. — (See deposition No. 5G.) 

Francisco Mungnia saw, in the spring of 1872, five hundred stolen 
Texan cattle crossed by seven armed Mexicans into Mexico, between 
Cotillo and Santa llosa ranches. — (See deposition No. 57.) 

Francisco Mungnia saw one hundred stolen Texan cattle crossed into 
Mexico by six armed iMexicans at a point six miles southeast of Santa 
Eosa ranch. — (See deposition No. 57.) 

Francisco Mungnia saw three hundred stolen Texan cattle crossed into 
Mexico, between Cotillo and Santa Eosa ranches, by a band of Mexican 
cattle-thieves under Captain Trinidad Gonzales, Mexican army. — (See 
deposition No. 57.) 

Peter Champion, at Floridas rancho, on March 4, 1872, found the 
roads picketed by Mexican cattle-thieves, skirmishers thrown out, and 
was captured and detained until the stolen cattle were crossed. Sehor 
Montalba and others were also captured. Large numbers of Mexican 
soldiers were engaged in this affair. — (See deposition No. 71.) 

John Fitch saw, in April, 1872, armed Mexican cattle-thieves gather 
a herd of stolen Texan cattle in the Nueces stock-range, near Caudelario 
ranch, eighty miles from the river. — (See deposition No. 82.) 

Pedro Wallace de Donghertij saw, in May, 1872, at La Canela ranch, in 
Mexico, (belonging to General John N. Cortina,) large numbers of cattle 
evidently stolen from Texas. — (See deposition No. 111.) 

Victor Morel recaptured from armed Mexican cattle-tliieves a herd of 
thirty totifty cattle, between two and three miles from Eio Grande City, 
in Texas. The thieves belonged to Cortiua's command, and v»eie 
sent by him. — (See deposition No. 157.) 

Pedro Vela recaptured tiity head of stolen Texan cattle at Los Ma- 
gueyes rancho, from Mexican cattle-thieves, in May, 1872. The cattle 
were then taken to Edinburgh, and sold for the benefit of the owners. — 
(See deposition No. 159.) 

Pedro Vela reca})tured, from JMexicau cattle-thieves, twenty-seven 
head of cattle, at a point near Soldado rancho, in Texas. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 159.) 

Evidence hearing no date. 

William BnrJ^e, lieutenant of State police, has seen stolen herds of 
cattle crossed into Mexico, often, at Prietas ranch, three miles below 
Brownsville. On one occasion he gave the names of the thieves to the 
Mexican authorities, who did not punish the offenders. He went to 
General J. N. Cortina personally. The general promised to punish the 



IG REPORT OP UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

tliieves, but did not, save in the case of one man, against whom lie liad 
a personal grudge. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

William Bnrlce, lieutenant of State police, testifies that the Mexican 
cattle-thieves, when raiding into Texas, are well armed and prepared 
to fight. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

WUl'iam Burke, lieutenant of State police, followed into IMexico a herd 
of stolen Texan cattle, which were driven across and sold at the town 
of Mier. He dared not, for his life, interfere. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

Francisco Martinez testifies that one J. M. Martinez, a Mexican cattle- 
thief, stocked, by plunder from Texas, a ranch near Matamoras with 
over one thousand stolen cattle. After the killing of the said Martinez, 
some of the cattle were recovered. — (See deposition No. 5.) 

Albert Dean, inspector United States customs, testifies that cattle are 
stolen and crossed continually from Texas to Mexico, these cattle 
being sold for from $'3 to $7, in Mexico ; has seen stolen cattle crossed 
six or seven times at Los Cuevas ranch. — (See deposition No. G.) 

Juan Sanchez testifies that cattle are sold for Irom ^'2 to 85 each on 
the Mexican bank of the Kio Grande. — (See deposition No. 7.) 

Justo Lopez has seen stolen cattle crossed into Mexico from Texas, 
by thieves, weekly, since 1805. — (See deposition No. 12.) 

Marcos Sanchez has seen droves of Texan cattle crossed into Mexico, 
by thieves, frequently; these herds from four to five hundred in num- 
ber. — (See deposition No. 13.) 

Scveriano Hinojosa has seen stolen cattle crossed by thieves into Mex- 
ico ; frequently two hundred in a herd.-— (See dei)osition No. 14.; 

IV". i>. Thomas saw a cai)tain in the Mexican army driving, along a 
road on the jMexicau side of the river, a herd of four hundred stolen 
cattle. The ca])tnin said: " The ' gringos' are raising cows for me." 
Cattle are worth $4 a head on the Mexican side. — (See deposition 
No. 10.) 

Ignacio Garcia, for several years past, has heard, at Calabozo ranch, 
near the river, of cattle being crossed at night over to Mexico. The 
armed thieves, coming froui Mexico, raid sometimes a hundred miles ■ 
into Texas. Cattle are worth 83 a head on the Mexican side of the 
river. — (See deposition No. 17.) 

Thaddeus M. A'// of?a', justice of the peace, testifies that Kafiiel Hinojosa 
and J. M. Aldape were notorious cattle-thieves, raiding from Mexico. — 
(See deposition No. 21.) 

Alexander Wierbisli testifies that eight luDidred .cattle, stolen from 
Texas, were sold by the Mexican cattle-tliieves at Ceralso or Aguas 
Negras for $1,50 a head. He has gone twenty times to the city of Mat- 
amoras, Mexico, to seek for his own cattle, it being publicly known that 
on these occasions stolen herds from Texas had been brought in ; found 
the rumors verified. No legitimate beef trade can be carried on in 
Northern Mexico. In Monterey (by reast)n of the sni)ply of stolen Texas 
cattle) beef is cheaper than at'MatanuMas. The long Mexican local wars 
have almost exhausted their own herds, but the current price of beef is 
much less than in Texas. — (See deposition No. 25.) 

Ahbato Longoria testifies that cattle are worth two to five dollars a 
head on the .Mexican side. — (See deposition No. 30.) 

Antonio Tigerina testifies that the stealing of Texan cattle by Mexi- 
cans existed in 1805, continued in 1806, augmented till 1808, and since 
then continues very grievons. In 1870, '71, '72, he has seen many 
stolen herds Irom Texas on the Mexican side. On one occasion he fol- 
lowed fifteen or sixteen armed Mexican cattle-thieves, who were driving 



EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 17 

off four hundred cattle to Las Cuevas ranch, where they crossed them 
into Mexico. — (See deposition No. 31.) 

A)if/el Agulrre saw at Mesquitito ranch, in Mexico, some cattle out ot 
a herd of two or three hundred which had been stolen and successfully 
crossed. — (See deposition No. 34.) 

Henrii iSb)ieon testities that cattle are worth six to seven dollars each 
on the ^Mexican side. — (See deposition No. 3G.) 

AjwUinario Hernandez saw the Holguiues brothers (notorious Mexi- 
ican cattle-thieves) cross 100 stolen cattle at Mogotes ranch, the stociv 
being- sold to Bon Dyonisio Cardenas, (now alcalde at Matamoras,) for 
$2.50 a head. Witness gives the following names of notorious cattle- 
thieves : Antonio Blangel, Captain Sabas Garcia, (Mexican army,) Se- 
guudo Garza, Juan Garcia, Holguines Brothers, (Andres and EsuKn-ing- 
ildo,) one Jnrado, (now dead,) one Librado, Lugo or Lubo Brothers, 
(now dead,) Perales Brothers, (Sylverio and Pedro,) and Francisco Vil- 
lareal. All the above-named thieves operated across the river-line be- 
tween the Bolsa ranch and Brownsville, say sixtv miles. — (See deposition 
No. 3S.) 

Elder B. Barton saw fifteen or twenty armed JMexican cattle-thieves 
driving' oft' two hundred cattle at Olivas, over one hundred miles within 
Texan line. — (See deposition No. 42.) 

Gregorio YlUareal saw (he being a soldier in the Mexican army) cat- 
tle being crossed by thieves from Texas into Mexico. He Imt, helped 
to drive henls of these cattle to Palito Blanco, (a ranch of General J. 
N. Cortina;) also has seen these stolen herds sold to butchers on the 
Mexican side. General J. N. Cortina, in marching his forces to Camargo 
and back in 1871 and 1S72, fed them on beef stolen from Texas. The 
following ranches on the Mexican bank of the Eio Grande are notorious 
haunts for thieves and cattle-stealers : San Eafael, Las Cuevas, Potrero 
de San Eafael, Tapehuaje rancho, Eancho Villareales, San Francisco 
rancho, Pefiitas rancho, El Esterito, Anzalveras rancho, Los Jabon- 
cillos, Keynosa Vieja, El Barrancas, El Ebano, El Cha])ital, Los Pelados, 
La Bolsa, El Prdniita, Solisena, (a notorious den: Nicholas Soils, al- 
calde of the Soliseiio precinct, at this place levied a black-mad on all 
stolen cattle of 25 cents a head for the use of the corrals and yards, in 
which he was protected by General J. N. Cortina,) La Paiingaua, Ca- 
poti?, Potrero, aiid other ranches. — (See deposition No. 47.) 

Franeis^eo Mnngiiia was chased by armed cattle-thieves while on 
Texan soil, on July 10, 1871. Cattle are worth 8L50 a head and upward 
iu the frontier borders of IMexico. — (See deposition No. 57.) 

Bamon Rodrkjuez, with his companion, Desiderio Castaneda, were pur- 
sued by armed cattle-thieves, numbering fiiteen, who had crossed from 
Mexico and were on Texan soil. Cattle are worth from $1.50 npward 
iu Mexico. — (See de[)osition No. ^^.) 

Nicliolas Cluvmpion testifies that nmny droves of stolen Texan cattle 
have been crossed by Mexican thieves over the river at Floridas rancho, 
armed JMexicans coming to the bank to cover the crossing of the herds, 
and proti'ct the thieves. — (See deposition No. 70.) 

Juan Levricr saw, between 1805 an<l 1871, stolen Texan cattle crossed 
by armed bands of jMexieaus at El Arenal Tranciuil, on the river. — (See 
dei)osition No. 78.) 

John Fitch has seen armed Mexican cattle-thieves on various occa- 
sions steal cattle from the Texan ranges. — (See deposition No. 82.) 

Henderson WiUi{im,s\s sons are forced to abandon herding cattle on the 
ranges in Texas, belonging to then), on account of the irruptions of 
cattle-thieves from jNlexico. — (See deposition No. 139.) 



18 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Vmccnie Carazos was tlireateiiod personally by Mexican cattle-tbieves 
ciniin^il' from the river-banks. — (Hee deposition No. 155.) 

Engcnio Zamora lias otten met armed Mexican cattle-tbieves, witli 
bands of stolen Texan cattle in their possession, near Kio Grande city, 
in Texas, and was forced to Hy for his life. — (See deposition No. 158.) 

Cccelio Vela met near liio Grande (Jity armed Mexican cattle-thieves, 
and was forced to fly for his life. — (See deposition No. 100.) 

Jusfo Lopez, notitied by a friend of the danger, liavini;- lost cattle by 
thefts of the armed Mexican banditti, dares not reclaim tiiem on the 
Mexican side. — (See deposition No. 1G4.) 

Bias ^^asquez repeatedly saw armed cattle-thieves near Cax)itaneno 
rancho, in Texas. — (See deposition No. 204.) 

1^'iehohis CItanno saw herds of stolen Texan cattle repeatedly brouj^ht 
nito lia.gdad, ^lexico, and sold there by thieves while he was a resi- 
dent. — (See deposition No. 213.) 

Note. — The same cattle, which, as testified above, are valued and 
sold at from !$1.50 to $7 on the Mexican side, are worth from ^12 to $15 
per head on the Texan river-border, and there is no discordance on 
this point. The lon<i;-continned wars on the northern frontier of Mexico 
have broken np their original herds of breeding-cattle, and whereas 
cattle are sold lor an average of $5, the testimony of all witnesses 
examined on this point is confirmed by the uatnral conclusion that the 
beef sold at these ruinous i)rices must be stolen from Texas, and is 
sold for less than cost, as even on the grassy Texan i>rairies the esti- 
mated cost to the owner of a four-year old steer is seven dollars. (See 
Major Sweet's pamphlet, page 7.) The business of cattle-dealing and 
butchering is evidently in Northern Mexico based on a su}»ply of stolen 
Texan cattle. 

OPINIONS (FROM THE EVIDENCE) AS TO CATTLE-STEALING. 

Justo Lopez gives his estimate (from observation and judgment) of 
the number of stolen cattle crossed between the city of Brownsville 
and Point Isabel, in the last seven years, fixing the number at 00,000. — 
(See deposition No. 12.) 

Marcos iSanchcz confirms, in opinion, the above. — (See deposition 
No. 13.) 

Sererairo Hinojosa gives the same estimate. — (See deposition No. 1-1.) 

Jacinto Hernandez is of the same ojunion. — (See deposition No. 15.) 

Thaddem M. L'hodea J. P., estinuites that in 1808, 1801), and 1870, 3,000 

head ])er month of stolen cattle were crossed into Mexico, by thieves 

(foming from there, in the fifteen miles ot river-line above and below 

Edinburgh.. — (See deposition No. 21.) 

NicJiol((s Champion estimates that 20,000 head of stolen cattle have 
been crossed into Mexico yearly, in 1871 and 1872, at or near Floridas 
ranch on the Kio Grande. — (See dei)osition No. 70.) 

FACTS OBSERVED BY THE UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS. 

On September 6, 1872, the steamer San Juan, ascending the Eio 
Grande, (the United States commissioners to Texas being on board,) 
passed LasCuevas, a notorious rendezvous of cattle-thieves, between 7 and 
8.30 a. m. At a bend of the liver, half a mile above i.as Cuevas, a herd of 
cattle was seen on the Texan bank in the possession of ])ersons evidently 
cattle-thieves. The spot was not a legal crossing-place, (no customs 



REPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 19 

officer beiDg present as required by law.) A number of cattle were in 
a corral by the bank, being crossed over to the Mexican side. A con- 
siderable force of Mexicans was discovered, some naked, (prepared to 
direct the cattle in swimming-,) and others in possession of a boat on 
the river. Mounted men were also in the (;orral, and examination with 
a glass showed the fact that some had retired under cover of the thick 
undergrowth. From the appearance of the banks, a large number of 
cattle "had been crossed, and from thirty to fifty were yet on the Texan 
side. There being no troops on board the steamer, it was impossible to 
attemi)t recapture. This crossing was effected within fifteen miles of 
the station of a company of mounted United States infantry, and under 
cover of "Las Cuevas" settlement on the Mexican side. 

An official menroranduai of the fact was made by the recorder of the 
commission, being signed by the president and himself. 

JSTestor Maxan, E. Dougherty, and Mifflin Kenedy, (all of Brownsville, 
Cameron County, Texas,) were witnesses of the entire occurrence. 

DOCUJIENTARY REFERENCES. 

1. Extract from letter of Brevet MajorGeneral E. S. Mackenzie, Colonel 
Fourth Cavalry, United States Army, to assistant adjutant-general, 
Department of Texas, fronr Kinggold Barracks, Texas, date September 
:12. 1807. — (See do(;ument 14, current file, United States commission 
to Texas:) 

" Cattle-stealing is practiced to an outrageous extent." 

2. Extract from letter of John Dix, sub-assistant commissioner Bureau 
Freedjsien, Ket'ugees an«l Abandoned Lands, to assistant adjutantgeir- 
eral, Department of Texas, from Corpus Christi, December 31, 1807 : 

" A vast amount of cattle have been stolen, from 1805 to 1807." 

3. Eeport of Lieutenant Colonel A. McD. McCook, Tenth Infantry, 
United States Army, to assistant adjutant-general, Department of 
Texas. — (Document 3, current tile, United States commission to 
Texas.) 

4. Letter of Lieutenant-Colonel A. McD. McCook, Tenth Infantry, 
LTnited States Army,' to Consul Thomas F. Wilson, August li, 1871. 

[Extract.] 

" There is in existence on tliis frontier a system of cattle-stealing 
which, if i)ersisted in, will be disastrous to the stock-raising interests of 
Texas, and may lead to a predatory war on either side of the river, 
eventually producing a (H>ntlict between the two nations.'" — (See Foreign 
Eelatious, 1871, page 0,j8,j 

IMPORTATION OF HIDES FROM MEXICO. 

In their eftbrts to get all the data possible having any bearing on the 
objects of their n^ission, the commission were not unmindful of the im- 
portance of obtaining the statistics of the movements of hides between 
the United States and Mexico. No article enters into the commerce of 
our southwestern frontier of more value and commanding importance 
than dry and wet hides. The handsome profits derived from the capi- 
tal employed in the illicit traffic which has been carried on in this spe- 
cies of property by frontier merchants and speculators, ha;* emboldened 
them in their operations to an extent which has been the means of fur- 
nishing evidence corroborative of that taken before the commission, and 



20 IJEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONEES TO TEXAS. 

of sueli an iii]]>ortaiit cliaracter as to eutitle it, in oni- jndgment, to very 
great consideration at our bands. 

When hides, imported into this countr^^ through the custom-houses 
on the frontier of Texas, are entered, they are at once inspected, as to 
ilie brands they bear, by inspectors ai')pointed under the cattle and hide 
inspection laws of Texas. An examination of the results of these iu- 
spections, as put in evidence by the record kept by the cattle and hide 
inspector of the district of Cameron County, Texas, shows that of the 
numberof hides entered at the custom-house at Brownsville from Mexico, 
fully -5 per cent, bore the brands of Texas stock-raisers, and that at 
least 1*5 per cent, bore brands that had evidently been altered or other- 
wise defaced. 

The evidence of all the witnesses examined before the commission on 
this point, establishes the fact that Texas cattle are never sold in any 
jiumbers, if at all, to goto Mexico; and that cattle are worth on an 
average $10 a head moie in Texas than they are sold for in the n^arkets 
on the northern frontier of ]\lexico. In the customs district of Brazos 
Santiago, com})rising the Lower llio Grande, the records show an entry 
of 1^7!i,25(> hides, imported from Mexico from ISOG to 1872; while the 
records of the district of Corpus Christi, the outlet of the ports of liio 
Grande City, Eoma, Carrizo, and Laredo, show an entry of 158,688 beef- 
hides imported from Mexico through the above ports. 

This documentary evidence bears with great weight on the extent and 
character of the depredations that have been committed on the people 
living on the frontier of Western Texas, and when taken in connection 
with the fact that the impoitation of hides from Mexico into the United 
States through these frontier ports is but seldom done, save when the 
carrying tonnage between Mexican ports and the commerc'al centers of 
the United States and Euroi>e is insufficient to meet the demands of 
shipjiers, it bears impartial witness of the extent and i)roportions of tlie 
traffic whic!i is carried on in the hides of animals stolen from American 
owners. 

Where the entry of hides imported from Mexico at one American 
l)ort, as in the case of Brownsville, shows that, of the whole number 
entered, at least 25 per cent, bore American brands, and that at least as 
large a percent, bore brands that had been altered and otherwise defaced, 
and this in the face of the customs officers of the United States, and 
tiie cattle and hide inspectors of Texas, it would not be unreasonable 
to estimate at a much larger per cent, the hides bearing American 
bia.nds which have been exported from Mexico directly to Europe, New 
Orleans, New York, a'.id other markets. 

The commission was unable to examine the records of the cattle 
ami hide inspection district of Nueces County, and consequently are un- 
able to report the per cent, of the whole number of beef-hides import* d 
fiom Mexico, through the customhouse at Corpus Christi, which bore 
American brands. The cattle and hide inspection law of Texas has 
been in operation but little over a year, and owing to defects in it which 
prevented the recovery of vstolen cattle and the seizing of stolen hides, 
powers of attorney being required, and the distance being so great be- 
tween theraiudies scattered here and thereover a frontier several hundred 
miles in length, this law, as a means for suppressing crime and detecting 
the thieves that infest the Kio Grande frontier, has, in a measure, been 
barren of results. It has not unfrequently occurred that men charged 
with the duty of enforcing this law have given false inspection-certifi- 
cates, ami assisted in every way in their power men notoriously known 
to be engaged in having and selling stolen hides. In one instance, 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 21 

coming under tlie observation of the commission, certificates were i.ssued 
by an inspector, dated at Brownsville, certifying that inspections, actu- 
ally made by liim in Matamoras, Mexico, were made in the cattle and 
hide inspection district of Canieron County, Texas. 

In this case the testimony shows that the inspector has not only beeu 
known to issue his certificates in Mexico, in order that the hides miglit 
not be exposed for inspection on being entered at the Americau cnstom- 
house, but has actually, in cases where wet hides were to be inspected, 
rolled two and three together and passed them as one, without inspec- 
tion. The presumption of fraud on the part of this American oliQcer, 
in this case, was so great as to canse his indictment in the conrts of 
Texas, where nierchants and dealers in this property buy hides, one by 
one, from thieves who kill cattle for the skins only, and intiuence the 
inspecting officer by bribing him to pass the stolen iiroperty through 
his district. The only remedy suggesting itself is more rigid laws and 
tlie appointment of honest men to enforce them. An examination, herein 
referred to, of one lot of stolen hides, seized under a search-warrant, 
shows that the brands of fifty different American stock-raisers, scattered 
over several hundred miles of territory, are represented. 

The following extracts from the testimony taken before the commis- 
sion will more fully exhibit the extent of the depredations of this class. 
Particular attention is called to documents 25, 26, and 38, on file with 
the commission. 

EXTRACTS FR03I THE EVIDENCE. 

Bominich Lively has detected hides bearing his brand in process of 
importation and shii)meut. — (See deposition ISTo. 9.) 

Herman 8. Boel; dei)uty cattle and hide inspector, district of Cameron 
County, has detected stolen hides belonging to JDominick Lively in 
course of shipment. — (See dejiosition No. 11.) 

George W. Lour, when cattle and hide insj^ector, observed the ship- 
ment of 370 dry hides direct to Liverpool, England, on ship Mary Doug- 
lass, in December, 1871. Many of these hides bore American brands, 
and witness believed them to be stolen. — (See deposition No. 22.) 

Alexander Wierhisli has detected his stolen hides being imported for 
shipment. — (See de[)osition No. 25.) 

ApolUnario Hernandez found General Juan N. Cortina, in August, 
1871, at Santa Fe, near Matamoras, Mexico, engaged in fraudnlently 
rebrandiug stolen cattle, with a brand manufactured to deface the old 
marks, and which was not his legally recorded personal brand. — (See 
deposition No. 38.) 

Louis Renand, as depnty inspector of hides and cattle, testified that 
20 per cent, of the hides imported from Mexico are stolen, others pur- 
posely defaced. Tlie cattle and hide inspection laws are defective and 
need amendment. — (See deposition No. 88.) 

Charles J. Murphy, cattle and hide inspector, under the laws ot Texas, 
from September, 1871, to July, 1872, has seen stolea hides (the property 
of Captain Richard King, of liancho Santa Gertrudes, Nueces County, 
Texas) being im[)orted from Matamoras. He had no power to opeii the 
hides, which were rolled u|). The deputies of witness seized a lot of 
stolen hides (in process of importation) on Fel)ruary 20, 1872. Eoberfc 
Kingsbury, justice of the peace, at Brownsville, tlirough his de[)uty, 
H. S. llock, inspected hides at Matamoras, Mexico, under the laws of 
the State of Texas, and gave certificates of inspection, (from his oftice.) 
under which they were shij)ped. 



22 IJEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIOKERS TC* TEXAS. 

On November 20, 1871, at Matamoras, Mexico, H. S. Eock (deputy of 
Bobert Kingsbury) again inspected hides at Matamoras, Mexico, and 
they were shipped under certificate from Brownsville. 

Milmo & Co. and H. E. Woodhouse & Co., of Matamoras, Mexico, 
were the shippers. The witness endeavored to seize the above lot of 
hides, and was prevented. He was not allowed to examine them ; was 
prevented by the certificate given as above described. An indictment 
was presented in a court of Texas for this offense. — (See deposition No. 
117.) 

Herman S. Rod; deputy inspector of hides and cattle for the district 
of Cameron County, Texas, admitted in his testimony the inspections 
referred to above. — (See deposition No. 121.) 

Note. — The detailed evidence of H. S. Bock shows that the hides 
imported from j\[exico, which passed under his ofiicial scrutiny, and as 
noted in his records, bear brands representing" nearly every stock-raiser 
in AVestern Texas. 

From August 15, 1871, to the date of his testimony, (August 20, 1872,) 
Deputy Inspector Bock has seized forty-two stolen hides and recorded as 
stolen (he having no power to seize them) four hundred and forty-eight 
hides, which were imported from time to time, mostly shipped by Mil- 
mo & Co. and H. E. Woodhouse & Co., of Matamoras, Mexico. These 
hides bear the brands of tifty different stock-raisers of Western Texas; 
the largest number belonged to Bichard King, of Bancho Santa Ger- 
trudes, Nueces County. 

Valentine J. Clarl-, acting for the stock-raisers' association of Western 
Texas, seized, on August 2;>, 1872, as stolen property, under a search-war- 
rant, an invoice of hnles shipped by J. G. Kelsey, of Bio Grande City, to 
Brazos Santiago, in i>ossession then of the Bio Grande Transportation 
Company. There were 1,015 hides in the invoice; 201 of these were 
distinctly recognized and seized as stolen, and about 50 were recognized 
as stolen which the agent was not empowered to seize. Thei)arLiculars 
are fully detailed in the evidence of witness. — (See deposition No. 127.) 

DOCUMENTS FOR REFERENCE. 

1. Statement of hides imported into the customs district of Corpus 
Christi, Texas, from 1807 to 1872.— (No. 25, current tile.) 

2. Statement of hides imported into the customs district of Brazos 
Santiago, Texas, from 1800 to 1872.— (No. 20, current file.) 

3. Printed copy cattle and hide inspection law of the State of Texas. — 
(No. 38, current tile.) 

1. Letter of George H. Abbott, special agent of the Treasury De- 
jiartment, to the honorable Secretary of the Treasury, El Paso del 
Norte, October 31, 1872, detailing a seizure of cattle for violation of rev- 
enue laws. — (No. 10, current file.) 

CONDUCT OF THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES. 

That the local authorities of Northern Mexico (civil and military) 
have been aware, tor years past, that lawless expeditions were being 
constantly set on foot in their midst to invade American territory for 
jdunder and the commission of crime, the evidence taken before the 
coinnnssion fully establishes. 

The military authorities, it will be seen, have not only tolerated this 
system of plunder, so long carried on by Mexican citizens on the property 
and interests of citizens of Texas, but have encouraged the thieves by 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COilMISSIONEES TO TEXAS. 23 

using" the Mexican avniy to assist in getting tlie stolen proi)ert.v on 
Mexican soil and sharing' in the proceeds. This condition of attairs has 
existed for years. During the administration of President Buchanan 
these frontier complications and outrages assumed so serious a character 
as to induce the Secretary of War, in 1800, to issue orders to Colonel 
E. E. Lee, then commanding- the Department of Texas, to notify the 
Mexican authorities that they would be held responsible for the enforce- 
ment of the laws against these thieves and bandits. Colonel Lee not 
only notified the Mexican officials on the line of the Bravo as iustructed, 
but also issued orders to his subordinates to see that the Mexican au- 
thorities performed their duty, and to that end, if necessary, to cross 
into Mexico. 

Whatever might have been ihe temporary effect on the Mexican 
authorities at that time of the firm stan<l taken by the United States 
in giving i)rotection to its citizens ag-ainst these Mexican outlaws, the 
continuance of General Juan ^. Cortina, the protector of the lawless 
bands, in the command of the line of the Bravo, from 1870 to 1872, goes 
to show, on the part of the Mexicau authorities, a wautou disregard of 
the authority of this Government and of the rights of its citizens. A 
history of General Cortina's career while iu command of the army occu- 
pying the uortliern frontier ot Mexico, and prior to that time, would be, 
in a great part, but a history of the wrong and outrages which have 
been committed with imi)unity, for years past, on the residents of our 
southwestern frontier. The following extract from a communication 
addressed to the Congress of the United States by the Secretary of 
War, of date April 30, 1870. has an important bearing on the conduct 
of the Mexican authorities, and is fully sustained by the evidence taken 
before the commission, showing, as it does, the position and character 
of an officer cliarged by the supreme government of Mexico for the two 
years ending March, 1872, with the grave responsibilities incident to the 
command of the line of the northern frontier of that republic. 

Secretary Belkna]), referring to General Cortina, says: 

This extraordinary character was a soldier under General Arista at the time General 
Taylor's army arrived on the Rio Grande ; was at one time lieutenant under Garcia, but. 
being detected selling horses given him foi a remount, was dismissed; murdered his 
employer, Sir- Somerville, in lf?47; committed robberies in Texas in l!-!4y ; had an indict- 
ment pending against him in 18M in the Cameron County court of Texas; continued 
to commit depredations in Texas in IKoy; was then an outlaw, and for his numerous 
robberies was again indicted iu the Cameron County court iu the spring of 1859. 

For a history of detail of the career of General Cortina on the border 
iu 1859, reference is made to depositions 10, 18, 21, 71, 70, 84, 85, 87, 95, 
90, 110, 117, 177, 190, 197, 198, 201, 213, as well as to report of Major 
Heintzelman, United States Army, on the Cortina raid of 1859. (Ex. 
Doc. No. 81, House of Representatives, first session Thirty-sixth Con- 
gress, vol. 12.) 

The civil administration of officers on the northern frontier of the 
republic of Mexico, with an exception or two, has been conducted al- 
most wholly in the interest of the demoralized and lawless population 
living on that frontier, to which may be added the odiuuj of its com- 
plete subserviency to a military regime having probably no parallel in 
the history of tiie age for its utter disregard of human life and high- 
handed exercise of power. In cases brought before these officials by 
citizens of the United States for the recovery of stolen property, they 
have invariably defeated the ends of justice, either by a technical cou- 
struction of the law, or by confessing their unwillingness or inability to 
grant relief. It is in evidence before the commission that officers 
alcaldes) before whom suit had been brought for the recoverv of stolen 



24 EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

property, have ruled iii tlie interest of tlie thief and shared with him 
tlie pro|)erty stolen. The circumstances connected with the quasi trvdl 
and imi>eachment of Judge Augustin Menchaca, district judge of the 
ytate of Tamaulipas, before the legislative branch of the government 
of the city of j\Iatanioras, on October 25, 1809, furnish a sad com- 
mentary on the maimer of punishing crime and rewarding virtue on the 
right bank of the Eio Grande. In ISOU the citizens of Brownsville, 
Texas, through a communication, requested Judge jMenchaca to co- 
operate with them in their efforts to prevent illi(,'it traffic in stolen cattle 
and their hides. 

They were informed by him that he would do all in his power to sus- 
tain them in their laudable etibrts, and that any person duly commis- 
sioned to represent them at Matamoras would be recognized and sus- 
tained by him in the discharge of his duty. During- the same year 
Henry Klahn, a citizen of Brownsville, was commissioned by Judge J. 
Galvan, of that city, to reside in Matamoras and look after the interests 
of the .stock-raisers of Western Texas. Mr. Klahn reported to Judge 
Menchaca for duty, was promptly and courteously received, and after 
being' instrumental in the recovery in several instances of property 
stolen in Texas and carried into Mexico, (IMr. Klahn's duties ou]y ex- 
tended to the detection of thieves and pointing- out stolen proi>erty to 
Mexician ofticers authorized to make seizure,) was finally confronted 
with a public sentiment so hostile to his longer continuance in the dis- 
charge of his duties as to make it necessary for him to resign. This 
outburst of poi)ular indignation on the part of the people of Matamoras 
Avas not alone directed at Mr. Klahn, but was brought to bear with such 
vigor on Judge ]\Ienchaca, because of hiseflbrts to enforce the laws and 
punish crime, as to cause the legislative branch of themuuicii>ality of 
Matamoras to adojit resolutions ad<lressed to the supreme government 
of the State of Tamaulii)as, asking- Judge j\renchaca's remoAal or im- 
])eachment, and which tinaliy forced him to resign and seek a refuge in 
Europe. The evidenc*^ in the possession of the commission bears with 
marked severity on the indifference with which the supreme govern- 
ment of Mexico, for years i)ast, has permitted her northern frontier to 
offer an asylum to bands of marauders organized to invade and plunder 
American territory. The earnest correspondence on the ])art of the 
(iovernment of the United States in regard to these outrages, as shown 
as far back as 1852, in a letter from Hon. C M. Conrad, Secretary of. 
War, to Hon. P. H. Bell, governor of Texas, (i)age 71. Letter of Hon. 
W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War, to the Congress of the United States 
on the claims of the State of Texas, April 30, 1872,) and followed by in- 
structions as firm in character as those issued by the Secretary of War 
to Colonel R. E. Lee, United States Army, commanding- department of 
Texas, in 18G0, taken in connection Avith the communications of Hon. 
Tliomas F. Wilson, United States consul at ^latamoras, and Lieutenant- 
Colonel A. McU. McCook, United States Army, commanding the line of 
the Eio Grande, forwarded through Hon. Thonms H. Nelson, United 
States uiinister to Mexico, and General Miguel Palacos, then command- 
ing- the Plaza of JMatamoras, to the supreme government of Mexico, and 
the long- continuance of General Juan X. Cortina, so notoriously offen- 
sive to the Government of the United States, in command of the line of 
the Bravo, estops the government of the republic of JNIexico, in the 
Judg-inent of this commission, from pleading ignorance of the serious 
nature of the complications which have existed on the northern frontier 
of that republic for years past, and which have made, during that time, 
life and property unsafe on our southwestern frontier. 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 25 

REFERENCES AND EXTRACTS FROM EVIDENCE AS TO THE CONDUCT 
OF THE MEXICAN FRONTIER AUTHORITIES. 

References from letter of the Secretary of War on ^^ claims of the State of 
'Texas.'''' \Ex. Doc. No. 277, second session Forty- Second Contjress, House 
of Bepresentatives.) 

1. "The Mexican goverument bas been notified of the alleged com- 
plicity of its officers in these frontier disturbances," &e., &c. — (See letter 
of Hon. C. M. Conrad, Secretary of War, to Hon. P. H. JJell, governor 
of Texas, September 30, 1852, p. 71, Ex. Doc. No. 277.) 

2. Colonel R. E. Lee, United States Army, commanding Department of 
Texas, was directed on March 2, ISOO, to notify the Mexican authorities 
on the Rio Grande frontier that they must break up the bands of ban- 
ditti, &c., &c., and that they would be " held responsible for the faith- 
ful performance of this plain duty on their part.'" — (See Ex. Doc. iS"o. 
277, p. 29.) 

3. Alarm created by the orders of March 2, 1860, in Matamoras, and 
the authorities were expected to act "more efficiently in breaking up 
the bands of Cortina, who had been outraging the Texan frontier." 
—(See Ex. Doc. No. 277, p. 29.) 

4. C'olonel R. E. Lee, United States Army, notified the Mexican au- 
thorities of his authority, and of their responsibility, on April 2, 1800. 
—(See Ex. Doc. No. 277, p. 30.) 

5. Colonel R. E. Lee, United States Army, on April 9, 18(50, issued an 
order directing his subordinate officers to see that the ^Mexican authori- 
ties fulfilled their obligations. — (See Ex. Doc. No. 277, p. 30.) 

G. The Matamoras authorities were thus notified, and special notifica- 
tion given to the civil and military authorities of Keynosa. — (Sec Ex. 
Doc. No. 277, p. 30.) 

Extracts from evidence tal-en before the co7nmissio)icrs. 

Lieutenant-Colonel A. McB. McCooJc, Tenth Infantry, United States 
Army, conmianding Fort Brown, addressed, on August 2, 1871, a com- 
munication to Consul Thomas E. Wilson, at IMatamoras, transmitting 
transcri})ts of records of the district court of Cameron County, Texas, 
setting forth various indictments against General Juan N. Cortina, 
Mexican army. A predatory war was feared as tlie r«\sult of the con- 
tinued cattle-stealing and other outrages on Texan life and pro})erty. 
(For the correspondence see above-described letter, and also letter of 
Lieutenant-Colonel McCook to General J. J. Reynolds, as well as the 
reply of Consul Thomas F.* Wilson to Lieutenant-Colonel McCook, 
])!>. 058 and 059, Foreign Relations, 1871.) — (See also deposition No. 1, 
for full details.) 

Thomas F. Wilson, United States consul at Matamoras, testifies that 
he transmitted the letter of Lieutenant-Colonel McCook to General 
jNliguel Palacios, who forwarded it, without delay, to the supreme gov- 
ernment of Mexico, also telegraphing the substance of the letters to 
President Benito Juarez. 

President Juarez, thus fully notified in August, 1871, did not remove 
General Juan N. Cortina until March, 1872. 

The 8U[)reme government was also notified through the United States 
minister at the city of JMexico, Hon. T. H. Nelson, of the alleged com- 
plicity of Genera! rJuan N. Cortina. — (See deposition No. 2.) 

The Mexican civil authorities of Matamoras replied to a demand for 



2G EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

catlle-tliieves made by WiJUani Bnrl:e, (lieutenant of State police,) who 
named the offenders, " that they had no right to give tliem up." Tbe 
men were not punished. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

FrcDicisco Martinez testified that the Matamoras authorities had notice 
for four years of unchecked depredations on the cattle of Sehor Fran- 
cisco Yturria, of Brownsville, Texas. — (See dei)osition No. 5.) 

Juan ISandiez applied for assistance to the Matamoras antlioi'ities in 
1870. They admitted they were unable to stop the cattle depredations 
complained of. — (vSee dejiosition No. 7.) 

Inspector Thomas C. ^Iichloii saw Captain Sr.bas Garcia, of the Mexi- 
can army, at the raid near Banco ranch, on March 4, 1S72. Alcalde 
Nicholas Solis had 20 men to assist in that crossing of stolen cattle. — 
(See deposition No. 8.) 

Justo Lopez testifies that stolen cattle fror/i Texas were <lriven over 
into Mexico almost weelil}', with the knowledge of the jMexican local 
authorities. 

Tlie attention of the " encargados " or heads of the ranches on tbe 
Mexican siih^ of the river was repeatedly called to the use of their 
ranches for cattle-stealing, and they claimed they could not stop it, 
■while, in fact, they shared the plunder. — (See deposition No. 12.) 

il/arc'o.S' >SVf»t'/;^'~ says that the local autliorities and " encargados '' of 
ranches are guilty of assisting the thieves. — (See deposition No. 13.) 

iSeceyuDiolIinojosa. testifies that the crossings into Mexico of the stolen 
cattle have been with the sufferance aiul consent of the local JMexican 
authorities. — (See dei)osition No. 14.) 

Jacinto Hernandez thinks the authorities, by proper action, could have 
captured 00,000 stolen cattle in tlie last seven years. — (See deposition 
No. lo.) 

W. I). Thomas recognizes Captain F. ]\Ii]an, JMexican army, in pos- 
session of a herd of stolen Texan cattle. — (See deposition No. 10.) 

W. I>. Thomas testifies to systematic fraud on the part of the civil au- 
thorities of J\iatamoras as to the inspection of cattle. Orders were given 
to the JMexican register of brands at Matamoras to record, in transfer 
only, the lost !)rands on cattle, so as to enable stolen cattle to be re- 
branded and sold. The civil and military authorities were in collusion 
with the thieves from 180.") to 1807, during the residence of witness in 
the city of JMatamoras. — (See dei)osition No. 10.) 

Carlos Esparza swears that Pedro Jurado (captain under Cortina) was 
engaged in cattle-stealing. Cortina's overruling iniluence prevents anj^ 
well-minded oflicial from doing his duty. — (See de])osition No. 18.) 

Alexander Wierbisld notifie(l Don Dyonisio Cardenas, first alcalde of 
Matamoras, that he (Cardenas) was buying and handling stolen cattle. 
Cardoias rej^lied, " 1 don't care where they come from; I will buy 
them." — (See deposition No. 25.) 

Alexander M. iSandcrs testifies that the continual depredations could 
have been checked, for when one J. M. JMartinez, (a Mexican cattle- 
thief,) after stocking his ranch near Matamoras with cattle stolen from 
Texas, attacked tlie residence of Senor Chai)a, on the Mexican side, he 
was prom})t)y caught and killed. — (See de{)0siti()n No. 28.) 

■Alexander M. tSander>i saw Colonel J. JM. JMenchaca separate from a 
herd of stolen Texan cattle at Guardado, some cattle belonging to a 
Mexican friend ; no attem[)t was made l>y this officer to notify Texan 
owners of the loss of their property. 

The alcalde of Camargo, JMexico, admitted to witness that he d^rred 
not disobey Cortina. — (See deposition No. 28.) 

Abbato Longoria testifies that orders having been received by local 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 27 

. antljorities to suppress (Mittle-stealing, souie obeyed tliem aud some did 
uot. — (See deposition IS^o. 3(1.) 

Antonio Tigerina saw, in 1870, 1S71, and 1872, herds of stolen Texan 
cattle, at different times, in the possession of Don Dyonisio Cardenas, 
lirst alcalde of Matamoras, IMexico. — (See deposition l^o. 31.) 

Antonio Tigerina,m the interests of Texan stock-raisers, endeavors to 
get a general power of attorney from them to recover stolen cattle from 
the Mexican holders. The local Mexican authorities will not allow him 
to act under such authority. — (See dei)osition ]No. 31.) 

Antonio Tigerina testifies that Don Dyonisio Cardenas, first alcalde of 
Matamoras, buys stolen cattle of the thieves. — (See dei)osition No. 31.) 
Antonio Tigerina testifies that in February, 187L', Carriola, a butcher of 
Matamoras, buys stolen Texan cattle of thieves. The Mexican (rivil and 
military authorities have uot tried to stop the depredatious. — (See depo- 
sition j^o. 31.) 

Thomas J. Mandg, mounted inspector United States customs, recog- 
F/ized iMexican soldiers in arms covering the crossing of stolen cattle 
at Floridas rancho, in March, 1872. — (See deposition No. 32.) 

Crespin I'eiia testifies that Francisco Perez, {alias " Cliicon,") who 
brutally murdeied J\Ir. Joseph Alexander, of Brownsville, at Eeparo 
rancli in Texas, on August 12, 1872, and escaped into Mexico, was a 
sub-lieutenant of Cortina's troops. — (See deposition No. 37.) 

ApoUinario Hernandez testifies as to Don Dyonisio Cardenas bujing 
stolen Texan cattle of thieves, or their receivers. — (See deposition No. 
38.) 

ApoUinario Hernandez testifies that J. M. Mederano, a Matamoras 
butcher, deals in stolen cattle. Dealers generally in Matau)oras buy 
these cattle witliout scruples. Cardenas is the heaviest buyer. — (See 
deposition No. 38.) 

Franeis C. Mason testifies that, while quietly and peaceably engaged 
with several comi)anions in sailing on the Ifio Grande, in the summer 
of 1872, the party was shot at by a IMexican sentinel : they were forced 
to land, were insulted, taken to Matamoras, detained over-night, aud 
released without satisfaction of any kind. — (See deposition No. 39.) 

EmiVio C. Forto was with the party, and confirms the preceding. — (See 
deposition No. 4((.) 

Charles R. Chase confirms depo-sitions 39 aud 10 ; was a member of the 
party. — (See two depositions numbered 41.) 

Gregorio ViUareal testifies that, on one occasion, the Matamoras 
authorities, having captured 118 cattle from thieves who had brought 
them from Texas, only admit the capture of 18 head; General Cortina 
obtaining tlie remainder for his personal use. — (See deposition No. 47.) 
Gregorio ViUareal saw during the occupation of Mief by Colonel Ar- 
rocha, Mexican army, 100 stolen Texan cattle, penned up there for the 
use of his troops. Colonels Arrocha and Meuchaca <lid not, however, 
like Cortina, directly authorize cattle stealing. — (See deposition No. 47.) 
Ramon Garcia recognized Captain Sabas Garcia, JMexican army, at 
the Arroyo Colorado, in Texas, in charge of a party of armed thieves. — 
(See dei)osition No. 48.) 

Ramon Garcia recognized Pedro Jurado, P. Lubo, aud E. p]zcharrete, 
(ofticers of Coitina's forces,) as engaged in cattle-stealing, at the Cala- 
bozo ranch in March, 1872. The Mexican local authorities are implicated 
in these thefts. — (See deposition No. 48.) 

James F. iScoft declares that the attempts of stock-raisers to recover 
their stolen property from Mexican holders have been made ineffectual 
by the collusiou of Mexican ofticials.— (See deposition No. 49.) 



28 RErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Ram 0)1 Rodriguez saw Captniii Sabas Garcia in possession of a herd 
of stolen Texan cattle. — (See deposition No. ~)S.) 

Peter Champion was captured at Floridas ranch by armed men who 
were crossing stolen Texan cattle, in March, 1872, and saw many Mexi- 
can soldiers engaged therein. — (See deposition No. 71.) 

Casimiro Trt»ia?/o, having a power of attorney to recover stolen Texan 
cattle, visits Matamoras and lindsalarge herd in pens belonging to Don 
Dyonisio Cardenas, alcalde. In order to ])revent detection, the cattle 
were turned out of the pen and scattered; witness, on this account, 
oidy recovered one animal, — (See deposition No. 77.) 

John Fiteh saw 40 stolen Texan cattle penned np atMier, in Mexico. 
lvei)resenting himself as an agent, he endeavored to recover the cattle, 
and was refused by the civil authorities. — (See deposition No. <SL*.) 

Francisco Solis saw Ci[»riano Flores and J. j\1. Martinez, (soldiers 
nnder General Cortina,) in Texas, stealing and driving away cattle to 
Mexico. — (See deposition No. 8G.) 

General Don Fedro Hinojosa (then lirst alcalde of Matamoras) called 
on Kichard King, of ranclio Santa Gertrudes, Nueces County, Texas, 
at his hotel in Brownsville, and offered to King a sum of money to buy 
the right of legal ownership in all cattle of King's brands, then on the 
IMexican side of the river, in the hands of thieves or their receivers. 
King retiised to sell any such right. Witness testities that it is person- 
ally unsafe to attempt to reclaim property before the local ^Mexican au- 
thorities. — (See deposition No. 89.) 

Alexander Wierbii^l^i linding stolen cattle ])eniUMl up in Matamoras, in 
18G0, api)lied to Don Dyonisio Cardenas (lirst alcalde of the city) for the 
l)roperty, and was tohrthat " there was no law to compel the delivery 
of the cattle." Legal proceedings were instituted by witness and con- 
tinued until the judge owned to witness he dared not give Judgment for 
the return of the cattle. The effort was thus a failure. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 100.) 

John McAllcn followed a herd of stolen cattle to Matamoras, in 18(iO, 
or 1807. He applied to the alcalde, F. Colbert, and was refused the 
pio})erty ; being imprisoned, he was glad to get back at all. — (See depo- 
sition No. 113.) 

W.W. Staples testities that Don Cornelius Sais (the mayor of Camargo, 
Mexico) admitted to him the presence of stolen Texan cattle in Camargo. 
He thought he knew parties who held them.— (See de])osition No. 132.) 

W. lf. IStaples received on one occasion a friendly message froiiT 
Colonel J. Arrocha, Mexican army, who admitted that there were horses 
in his camp there which had been stolen from StajMes. The officer 
promised to try and send them back; he did not do so. — (See <leposition 
No. 132.) ' ^ 

Antonio J. Yznaf/a testilies as to an attempt made in 1800 to induce 
the Mexican autliorities to allow an insitector to reside- at Matamoras to 
rei)reseut the stock-raisers of Western Texas. The attempt failed through 
the hostility of the Matamoras ofticials and public to any such measure. — 
(See deposition No. 138.) 

ir////<n» A>//^, justice of the peace, testifies, that in the case of a 
murderous raid on Clarksville, Texas, in 1801), (inspectors Hammond 
and rhel])S being killed, and various robberies committed,) he reported 
the fact to the captani of the port at Bagdad, IMexico, (from which place 
the arnu'd Mexicans came,) and also to the authorities of jMatamoras, 
who did not even send out a scout or search for the offenders, and made 
no iiHjuiry tending to a prosecution of the otienders.— (See dei)osition 
No. 132.) ' 



RErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 29 

Henry Khdtn, iu ISGO, was appointed by Judge Galvan, of Brownsville 
on Ijelialf of tlie stock-raisers of Western Texas, with L. M. Sliedd, to 
reside at Matamoras and act as an inspector of animals and Lides, with 
a view to the suppression of cattle-stealing. The Mexi<.'an authorities 
promised co-operation ; Klalin assumed his duties, and in making an in- 
quiry into the character of certain property held by one Longoria, a 
hide-dealer, was resisted by him ; Judge Augustin Menchaca ])laced a 
sentinel over the property of Longoria, and tried to support Klahn in 
his in(j airy. In a short time Judge Menchaca was forced to resign. 
Dou Pedro Hinojosa was appointed district judge of the State of Ta- 
maulipas, to succeed Menchaca; this judge notified Klahn privately 
that he could not support him, and the inspector was forced to abandon 
his duties, returning to Texas. 

Witness testifies that Don Dyonisio Cardenas (alcalde at Matamoras) 
is by general repute a buyer of stolen cattle. — (See deposition No. 172.) 
Adoljfhu.s Glaevccke testifies that he re])orted to General Carbajal (then 
chief commander of the line of the Bvavo) the night before the raid of 
Cortina on Brownsville, (September 28, 1851),) that it would occur, and 
begged him to arrest Cortina, who would use Mexican troops raised and 
armed by that governuient for its legitimate service, to invade Texas 
and outrage the border. The next day the attack occurred, and witness 
went to General Carbajal, who was still in Brownsville, (wliere he had 
been visiting,) and begged him to go out and arrest Cortina, who then 
had possession of the town. General Carbajal refused to do so, and said 
that he feared Cortina would not recognize his authority. — (See de]30si- 
tion No. 177.) 

Charles Best., an American citizen, is arrested on his steamer, then 
lying on the ways at Bagdad, Mexico, in April, 1807. An affray having 
occurred at the ship-yard, witness, an innocent man, was arrested, 
struck, and (only through the intercession of a friend) was finally liber- 
ated, the alcalde and captain of the port having, notwithstanding his 
entire innocence, ordered him to be confined. All the Ameiican work- 
men in the ship-yard, seven or nine in number, were arrested, tied two 
and two, and marclied forty miles to Matamoras. Only two men were 
guilty, they escaping, and these innocent parties were imjirisoned and 
roughly treated for nine days at Matamoras, one of their number being- 
kept nearly thirty days, and a final trial by a military court being forced 
on them. — (See deposition No. 181, and also that of the sufferers, 180 
183, 209, and 212.) 

F. J. FarJcer testifies that the official copj- of the proceedings of the 
city council of Matamoras, Mexico, filed and numbered 10, with the 
records of the commission, was obtained through private channels after 
due application had been refused, and that in the record of said pro- 
ceedings, (the impeachment of Judge Menchaca for his assistance to 
Inspector Klahn,) the name of Don Dyonisio Cardenas (who should 
appear therein as under criminal charges) was intentionally omitted. — 
(See deposition No. 181.) 

Adolphvs Glaevecl-e applied in 18(J5 to the alcalde of Matamoras for 
cattle stolen from him, and was refused; also api)lied in 1805 to the 
civil authorities at Bagdad for 17 head of his cattle, then at that place, 
being also refused. — (See deposition No. 207.) 

Macedonia Lnera distinctly recognized Ildefonso Salinas (captain Mex- 
ican army) as the man who robbed Albert Champion's stage station, at 
La Torn na, in Texas, in February, 1871. — (See deposition No. 211.) 

Joseph Walsh, au American citizen, a resident of Matamoras, having 
made settlement with his debtors, Gilgan & Co., of Matamoras, they 
being indebted to him in the sum of $115,000 on three acceptances 



oO EErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

for $45,000, .'B-jOjOOO, and §50,000, commenced proceedin.qs against .said 
firm to enforce the payment of tbe tiist obligation, wliicli was not ]>aid 
on maturity, (January 1, 1SG9,) be baving protested it before a notary 
of tbe place. An arbitration baving been proposed by tbe debtors, 
T»"itness (consented to it, agreeing to receive in settlement goods to tbe 
value of §145,000, and security in certain ^'baciendas" or estates. 
AYitness was placed in possession of tbe goods, tben in a warebouse, but 
tbe otber parties delayed taking stock and fulfilling tbe arbitration, 
whicli, by a limitation of tbirty days, became void. Due notice baving 
been given, and tbe otber ])arties refusing to fulfill tbeir agreement, 
witness continued proceedings on tbe original acce[>tances. 

Tbe debtors commenced a vexatious suit on an item properly allowed 
in tbe settlement on wbicb tbe acceptances were based, and, witb con- 
nivance of tbe officials, caused witness to be forcibly dispossessed of 
tbe goods and property be beld to secure bis Just claim. 

In tbe absence of witness tbe cross-suit was referred to an arbitration 
at Monterey, wbic-b resulted in a declaration tbat witness was not liable 
for tbe item on wbicb be was sued. Tbe papers were returned to tbe 
local autborities of Matamoras, and were by tliem referred for assess- 
ment to a in'ivate attorney of tbe otber i>arty to tbe suit. Said papers, 
abstracted from tbe legal arcbives at Matamoras, still remain in tbe 
possession of tbis agent of tbe otber party, at a distance of some bun- 
dred miles from tbe city of Matamoras. Witness bas repeatedly ap- 
l)lied for tbe i)apers, or even a reading of tbem, and been denied. 

Witness appealed bis case to tbe supreme court of tbe State of Ta- 
maulipas, and finally impeacbed for corruption tbe fiscal or attorney 
general of tbe state. Wii.ness was advised by bis lawyers to cease 
proceedings, as tbe courts were notoriously under tbe intluence of tbe 
bribes of bis opponent. Witness bas not been able to, and cannot, 
collect bis just claim, and ascribes it to a connivance witb tbe otber 
party in tbe case. He bas been forcibly dispossessed of goods once 
delivered to bim, and certain estates (beld as security) bave been sold 
for less tban tbeir value by tbe autborities, baving been bougbt in by 
tbe otber party. — (See deposition No. 352.) 

Documents on file with the United States commission for reference. 

Special reference is uiade to documents 17,18,10,20,21, (current 
file United States conunission to Texas.) 

Tbese documen.ts sbow tbe fact of notice baving been early given to 
tbe civil autborities of Matamoras as to tbe grievous cbaracter of tbe 
losses suifered by Texas stock-raisers. 

Document 17 is a petition of a committee of tbe citizens of Browns- 
ville to tbe president of tlie city council of Matamoras, on tbe subject 
of cattle-stealing. 

Document 18 is a communication of a committee of tbe citizens of 
Brownsville to Judge Augustiu Mencbaca, (district judge State of 
Tamaulipas,) asking bis co-operation in suppressing tbe disorders de- 
scribed tberein. Tbe reply of Judge Mencbaca is annexed to tbe peti- 
tion. 

Document 19 is a copy of tbe proceedings of tbe city council of the 
city of Matamoras, wbicb describes tbe action of tbe judge, and the 
fact of numerous arrests following the inspections of Inspector Klahu, 
who had been acting witb the assistance of the judge. The proceedings 
led to the impeachment of Judge Mencbaca on October 25, IStlO, and 
the appointment of a successor, who did not interest himself in the mat- 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 31 

ter. Depositions 138 and 184 describe tbe result of the efforts and tlie 
I'act tliat Judge Meucbaca was forced to leave Mexico, reuiaining in 
Europe some time. 

Document 20 consists of two letters from Tbomas F. Wilson, United 
States consul at Matamoras, to Don D^onisio Cardenas and F. J. 
Parker, on tbe same general subject. 

Document 21 is a petition of a committee of tbe citizens of Browns- 
ville to Judge Meucbaca, asking bis formal co-operation. 

Extracts from, evidence taken touching General Juan N. Cortina. 

'William Burl-c (lieutenant of State police) testifies tbat Cortina is 
a leader of tbieves and bandits, protecting tbem. j\Iany of bis soldiers 
were recognized in Texas by witness. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

Inspector Albert Dean testities tbat be bas seen Cortina receiving and 
interviewing tbieves at bis beadquarters. — (See deposition No. 0.) 

Inspector Thomas C. iSheldon testified tbat Captain Sabas Garcia 
(Mexican army) bragged to bim of stealing and crossing 400 cattle, in 
July, 1871, saying tbat be bad Cortina's permission to raid on Texas. — 
(See deposition No. 8.) 

Marcos Sanchez testifies tbat Cortina, after entering tbe regular army 
of Mexico, sent bis followers to steal cattle from Texas. This was 
admitted by tbe '' encargados^' or superintendents. — (See deposition 
No. 13.) 

W. I). Thomas testifies tbat tbe present cattle depredations are a con- 
tinuation of tbe troubles of 1859. and are mainly directed by Cortina. 
In 180G be organized a force for anotber raid on Texas and attack on 
Brownsville, but was disturbed by bearing tbat Colonel Ford bad 
organized tbe citizens of Brownsville to resist it. — (See deposition No. 
IG.) 

Ifjnacio Garcia testifies that Cortina has giown ricb by plunder, and 
tbat be gathers tbieves and bandits around bim. — (See deijosition 
No. 17.) 

Carlos Esparza testifies tbat Cortina received personally most of tbe 
stolen cattle crossed at tbe Calabozo rancbo, in 1871. lie bas prosti- 
tuted bis command, and enriched himself. — (See deposition No. 18.) 

Caetano li.odrif/uez testifies tbat Cortina sent a lot of fine cows, stolen 
from Mrs. Jane Weyman by bis followers in 1850, to bis own ranch, 
El Soldadito. — (See deposition No. 20.) 

Thaddeus M. liliodes, ^iuf^t'w.e oi the peace, testifies tbat Cortina was 
assisted in his attack on Brownsville, in 1850, and operations on the 
border then, with, men, munitions, and assistance furnished from Mata- 
moras. — (See deposition No. 21.) 

Thaddeus M. Rhodes declares tbat Cortina agreed to take care of the 
cattle-thieves in Mexico it they would take care of themselves in Texas. 
It is notorious that Cortina bas stocked bis ranches, Canela, Soldadito, 
Caritas, Palito Blanco, and others, with cattle stolen irom Texas. — (See 
deposition No. 21.) 

Benito Garcia testifies to a fraudulent return made of tbe cattle cap- 
tured at Calabozo ranch from tbieves, by the Mexican authorities. 
Cortina got one hundred, and only eighteen head were accounted for, 
when in fact one hundred and eighteen head were captured. Cortina 
has enriched himself by plunder. — (See de[)ositiou No. 23.) 

Anaclito Padron was detailed by Cortina, in 1870 or 1871, as one of a 
squad of soldiers sent to Tahuachal to receive a drove of stolen cattle 
Irom his agents and escort them a safe distance from the river. This 



32 KErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

was done, and the cattle delivered to liisiirivate vaqueros. — (See depo- 
sition No. 2G.) 

AnacUto Fadron, in 1871, was sent as one of a sqnad of liis soldiers by 
Cortina, to Lagnna, near Mataaioras, to escort a herd of stolen Texan 
cattle to his ranch Palito Blanco. It was done. — (See deposition l^o. 
20.) 

Alexander 21. Sanders heard Cor'ana ask for stolen cattle at Guardado 
ranch, in December, 1871, or January, 1872. When told they had none 
he said, '' It is strange you have none.'' Cortina's orderlies were mounted 
on stolen horses at Cauiargo in 1870. — (See deposition No. 28.) 

Ton/as Vasqitez deposes that Cortina is the protector of thieves and 
rascals. — (See deposition No. 29.) 

Antonio Tiijerina testities that Cortina has enriched himself through 
his position. — (See deposition No. 31.) 

ApoUinario Hernandez testities that Cortina i^rotects Nicholas Soils, 
(a corrupt alcalde,) and receives stolen beef from him. A black-mail of 
25 cents a head on stolen cattle for use of corrals is levied by Solis. 

Witness saw General Cortina personally rebranding cattle at Santa 
Fe, in August, 1871, with a brand manufactured for the purpose of 
evading i)roper inspection at Matamoras. 

Witness saw General Cortina at Santa Rosa on September 13, 1871, 
taking toll of 100 stolen cattle. Ca[>tain Sabas Garcia, of Cortina/s 
brigade, with, other followers of his, were in i^ossession of the herd. 
General Cortina used to ])ersonal!y classily the stolen herds, sending 
fat steers to market, and the cows and young stock to his ranches. — 
(See deposition No. 38.) 

Gregorio VUlareal saw Cortina conferring, at various times in 1871 
and 1872, with (he Holguines brothers, who were notorious thieves. 
— (See deposition No. 47.) 

Gregorio VUlareal^ wlien a soldier, under his orders, was sent several 
times by Cortina to escort cattle from the Laguna (a prairie near Mata- 
moras) to various ranches belonging to the general ; these orders being 
executed. Tne cattle were notoriously known to be stolen from Texas. 
— (See deposition No. 17.) 

Gregorio VUlareal testifies that Cortina equipped the Lubo brothers 
(notorious thieves) for a cattle-stealing raid on Texas in 1871. The 
Lubos weie captured with a loss of their outfit. Cortina requested 
Yillareal to go to Brownsville and buy in the saddles and equipments, 
which were sold at public auction. Tliis witness refused to do. — (See 
deposition No. 47.) 

Gregorio YiUareal testifies that Cortina retains, on his ranches, stolen 
horses belonging to Josiah Turner and others, some of these animals 
having been ineffectually claimed as stolen. He authorizes his soldiers 
and followers to steal from Texas, and said " Let Texan property come 
over here." He has made use of his hangers-on for private assassina- 
tion. Is continually surrounded by a squad of armed men, and has 
grown rich by plunder. — (See deposition No. 47.) 

J. 0. Thompson deposes to the names of various thieves and agents 
of Cortina. — (See deposition No. 74.) 

. Yictor Morel testities that Cortina took from him, pistol in hand, the 
sum of $200 in gold, in December, 1859. This money had been robbed 
from the body of Captain N. P. Si)ear, killed by Cortina's followers at 
liio Grande City, in December, 1859, and deposited in a safe at a store 
where Morel was clerk. — (See deposition No. 157.) 

Eugenio Zamora testifies that Cortina has sent his agents and thieves to 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 66 

Texas to steal cattle. His policy is to induce thieves and marauders to 
join his forces — (See deposition No. lo8.) 

Fcdro Vela testifies that the cattle depredations in Texas anjifmcnted 
"wonderfully when Cortina was in command. — (See dejtosition No. luO.) 

Fedro Vchi deposes that General Cortina sent word to the lawless 
dwellers at ''Las Cuevas" (on the Mexican side) that if they stole from 
Texas, it was all right, but if they depredated in Mexico he would hang- 
all offenders. — (See deposition No. 159.) 

John »S'. Ford testifies that Cortina is guiltj^ of murder, rob1)ery, and 
falsehood. Witness gives a history of the so-called Cortina raid in 1850. — 
(See deposition No. 201.) 

Albert Champion interviewed Cortina in September, 1871, as to cer- 
tain horses stolen from witness's stage-station at La Torrena. Ildefonso 
Salinas (a captain of Cortina's) having been distinctly recognized as the 
commander of the armed thieves by Champion's hostler, Macedonio 
Luera, (deposition No. 211,) Champion accused said Salinas before the 
general, offering to introduce his witness, blindfolded, and have him pick 
out the thief. Cortina declared that Salinas was in camp on the night 
of the robbery, and said, " You have some spite against Captain Salinas." 
After tedious diplomatic correspondence, Cortina linally (under strin- 
gent order from the minister of war) restored six broken-down horses 
but of nine which had been stolen, and witness is informed and believed 
he had them all the while iu his possession and in use. — (See deposition 
No. 210.) 

DOCUIMENTS OF REFERENCE. 

1. Transcript of indictments against Juan N. Cortina and others for 
murder, arson, robbery, assault to kill, &c., &c. — (Document 27, current 
file, United States commission.) 

2. Printed report of a grand jury of Cameron County, Texas. — (Doc- 
ument 31, current file. United States commission.) 

3. Proclamation to the inhabitants of the Kio Grande (printed) issued 
by General Juan N. Cortina in 1872. — (Document 35, current file, United 
States commission.) 

4. Translation of document 35. — (Document 3(1, current file, United 
States cou] mission.) 

5. Letter Secretary of War on claims of the State of Texas. Pages 
23 to 31. — (Forty-Second Congress, second session. Ex. Doc, No. 277, 
House of Eepresentatives. 

MURDER AND VIOLENCE BY MEXICANS AND INDIANS. 

This subject is difficult of investigation and will be referred to as 
follows : 

First. Murders and violence by armed bands of Mexicans. 

Second. Murders, violence, and kidnapping- by Indians. 

The first has been reached directly, but imperfectly ; and the second, 
principally by the collection of information and valuable data, a tran- 
script of the military records having been placed on file by the courtesy 
of Brigadier-General C. C. Augur, United States Army, commanding 
the Department of Texas. 

Murders and violence hy the Mexicans. 

The state of the Texan frontier, and the frequent omission of the legal 
formalities in case of death by violence, prevent an accurate report on 
this subject of inquiry. 
3 



34 RErORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Eecords are imperfect or missing. Any rnle laid down will exclude 
many cases. The people are iamiliar with violent deatli, and as many 
murders are traced only by the tiuding of the body on the prairie, it is 
im})ossible to obtain a careful record, or even direct evidence. The 
destruction of records during the war of the rebellion is another obstacle, 
and the commission has made but little progress in this regard. The 
general verdict of citizens as to the condition of the country shows a 
frightful risk from the operations of the armed Mexican raiders, who, if 
not Ki)ecially seeking to murder, will nevertheless at any time take life 
without pity or reuiorse. 

The records of Cameron County, Texas, show, in the ten years from 
1853 to 18G3, eight indictments for murder. 

The same records i)rove that in the six years from ISGO to 1872 there 
were forty indictments for murder presented. Here is an alarming in- 
crease of the gravest crime, and it demands explanation. 

The growth of cattle-stealing is synonyuious with that of other vio- 
lent crime, and the records referred to (Docs. 29 and 30, current file, 
United States commission) show the same increase in indictments for 
cattle-stealing. An examination of the records show that most of the 
criminals were Mexican's, and a majority were Mex can citizens. 

The direct evidence taken before the commission describes a number 
of murders, some of them peculiarly brutal and unprovoked, most of 
them being traceable to the JMexican communities on the right bank of 
the river. 

The testimony of all witnesses questioned is unanimous as to the fact 
of life being unsafe, even within the corjiorate limits of iirownsville. 

The murder of rJose{)li Alexander, on August 11, 1872, at Kelampago 
ranch, Texas, by one Francisco Perez, (alias Chicon,) who is. or has 
been, an ofticer under Cortina, (see deposition 37,) is fully described in 
depositions Nos. 30 and 37. The commissioners attended the inquest, 
and also received a copy of the proceedings of a meeting of citizens of 
Brownsville, which was held with a view to ask of the General Govern- 
ment protection for the future. (See Document 21, current file. United 
States commission.) 

The unavenged nuirder of Inspectors Hammond and Pheli)s, United 
States customs service, which occurred at Clarksville, Texas, in 18GU, 
(see depositions Kos. 147 aiul 111*,) turuislies a grave accusation against 
the hx'al authorities of liagdad and Matamoras, who did not even make 
inquiry lor the offenders, who came in force from the Mexican side. 

The mortality among American ofticials on the Eio Grande Irontier 
has been alarming, xill these nuirders are directly Mexican, as in the 
case of Inspector Dupont, murdered in sight of Brownsville, in 18G0 or 
1870; the shooting of Sheriff llobert Shears in July, 1850, by Cortina 
personally ; the shooting of the sheriff of Hidalgo County by Ensualdo, 
a Mexican, in 18G1 : and the recent wounding of the sheriff" of Webb 
County, at Bio Grande City, recently, as well as many other instances 
of outrage, all proving the utter insecurity of life on the frontier. 

Peculiar atrocity characterized the nuirder of Messrs. Murdoch and 
Hatch, two highly esteemed citizens of the Nueces Valley, in August 
and September, 1872, during the sessions of the commission at lirownis- 
ville, (not a hundred miles distant.) It is to be regretted that these 
cases liave not as yet been reached ofticially hy the commission. The 
verdict of the coroner's jury in both these cases was to the effect that 
armed Mexicans had taken away the lives of these inoffensive citizens. 
Mr. Murdock having been burned and Mr. Hatch shot. 

The murder of Carl Specht. at San Fernando Creek, near Corjius 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 35 

Cliristi, Texas, on July 30, 1872, by arrned Mexicans who waylaid and 
attacked Ricliaid King- and party, is fully described in Deposition 80. 

The violence of the attack is manifested by the fact that thirty to 
forty shots were flred. A number passed through the and)ulance and Mr. 
Specht (the traveling couii)anion of Captain King) was instantly killed. 
That the attack wasdirected against Eichard King is undoubted, as he 
was then coming to Brownsville to give his evidence before the com- 
mission. The fact that one of the heaviest losers by the depredations 
has been once attacked, (see deposition No. 89,) and when afterward 
journeying to testify before the United States commission was forced 
to coiue under heavy i)rivate escort, (see deposition No. 89,) .shows that 
the cattle-thieves are determined to prevent, if possible, the facts from 
being placed on record. 

Murders, violence, mid Icidnapping hy Indians. 

The commission has, as yet, but reached the subject of Indian de- 
predations indirectly. The region suiiering from such incursions not 
having been visited, their remarks refer to a work yet to be performed 
the necessity of energetic action is apparent however, even after indirect 
examination. 

The Kickapoo, Lipan, Seminole, Carrizo, and Santa Rosa Indians 
figure in a dark record, which cannot be presented here oflicially. These 
Indians are scattered along the right bank of the Rio Grande and 
operate unceasingly on its upper valley. Some of these tribes, as the 
Kickapoos, were former residents of the United States and it is clear 
that the pacification of the border cannot be accomplished until they 
are returned to the iiroper reservations set aside for them by the United 
States, and every effort is recommended on the part of the Genen 
Government to compel their return. 

Depositions Nos. 1 and 2 show that the country about Laredo is 
laid under contribution by the Kickapoos. Depositions Nos. 21 and 28 
show the former outrages committed on the residents of this region by 
Indians and deposition 216 gives a history of the murder and kid- 
napping of the Stringfield family at San Jose Ranch, in Texas, in Sep- 
tember, 1870. This last-named outrage was committed by Kickapoos, 
who were traced to Mexican soil ; (see document 8, current file, United 
States commission.) 

Deposition No. 2 shows the murder of various shepherds to have been 
committed by Kickapoos in 1871 ; they being followed to their camp, in 
Mexico, by a customs officer of that country, whose deposition on the 
subject is filed as a paper of (document 14, current file, United States 
commission.) 

• The fact of the fostering of the Kickapoos by tbe authorities of the 
state of Coahuila, Mexico, is proven by the developments made in the 
unsuccessful attempt to induce them to returm to the United States. 
(See deposition No. 2.) (See also pp. CIS and 049, Foreign Relations, 
1871.) The commissioners not being able, as yet, to personally examine 
the subject of the outrages of the Kickapoos and obtain a mass of direct 
evidence, nevertheless gained personal knowledge, and formed opinions 
supporting the statements of William Schuhardt, connnercial agent of 
the United States at Piedras Negras, Mexico, in his letter of May G, 
1871, to B. J. Gautier, esq.. United States vice-cousid at Matamoras. 
(See Foreign Relations, 1871, p. 043.) 

The military records of the Department of Texas contain valuable 
data on the subject of the general outrages, for years past, on the per- 



36 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

fiGiis and property of Texan citizens and residents, committed by those 
Indians, who hiy the extended frontiers of the State under continual 
contribution. 

Document 14 (current file, United States commission) is a transcript of 
the records referred to, (courteously furnished by Ihigadier-General C. 
C. Augur, commanding- dei)artmeiit of Texas,) and covers the records 
of the departuient headquarters from 18G5 to the i)resent time. 

The various papers are therein tabulated, and, as a reference, will 
prove the harassing character of Indian incursion on the Texan borders. 
These i)apers confirm the conclusion already arrived at by the commis- 
sion, that the return of theKickapoo Indians to the reservations assigned 
to them by the United States Government is necessary to the peace of 
our southwestern frontier. 

The opinions of the United States military otficers, now on duty on 
the Ivio Grande frontier, coincide with those expressed on pages 4, 21, 
22, 25, 75, 77, and 90, of Letter of the Secretary of War on the 
claims of the State of Texas, (Ex. Doc. No. 277, Forty-second Congress, 
second session,) by Governor Smith, of Texas, the department com- 
mander. General Twiggs, Lieutenant Holabird, and others as to the 
ex])osed condition of tlte southwestern frontier, the character of utter 
lawlessness of the Indian tribes hanging on its Hank, and the measure 
of protection extended to them by the different States of ISTorthern 
Mexico, in which by invitation, sufierance, or tacit consent of the au- 
thorities, they have taken up their residence. 

Extracts from the evidence as to mnrders and rioJence by Mexicans. 

E. B. Barton testifies that Thompson and a companion were mur- 
dered by Mexicans near Las Olmas in 1850. — (See dei)Osition jSTo. 42.) 

Francis M. (JampheU testifies that W. P. Neall was murdered by Mexi- 
cans in 1859 ; also a young Mexican murdered at Brownsville, 1859 ; 
also a Mexican shot, 1859. — (See de})osition No. 84.) 

Victor Morel testifies that Captain N. P. Si^ear, William Robinson, 
and John Box were murdered in 1859 by Mexicans, at or near llio 
Grande City. — (See deposition No. 157.) 

Indictments show the following persons to have been murdered at or 
near Browns^ille in 1859 by Mexicans: 

1. Kobert Shears, wounded July 13, 1859. 

2. V. Garcia, murdered September 28, 1859. 

3. R. S. Johnson, nuirdered September 28, 1859. 

4. George Morris, murdered September 28, 1859. 

5. J. Monies, murdered November 25, 1859. — (See Doc. 27, current 
file.) 

ir. B. Thomas testifies that James Dunn and Richard Rowland were 
murdered, and the sheriff of Hidalgo County wounded, at Granjero 
Ranch, by Mexicans, in 1801. Leonicio Eusualdo was one of the mur- 
derers. — (See deposition No. 16.) 

WiUiam Bnrhe, lieutenant of State police, testifies that a number of 
United States soldiers were murdered by Mexicans in 1804 and 1805. 
A courier of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers was killed at San Martin 
Ranch in 1804 or 1805 ; his body shamefully mutilated. Eben Cobi) 
was murdered seven miles from Brownsville in 1805 or 1800. — (See 
deposition No. 4.) 

William Burl-6 testiiies that Dr. Morse, United States Army, was 
murdered by Mexicans about five miles from Brownsville, and a German 



IIEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 37 

Dained Buniiester, about twelve miles from the same city. — (Seedeposi- 
tiou No. 4.) 

Louis Bcnand testifies that J. C. Eosa and Cecilio Gomez were mur- 
dered at Sabiuito Kauclio, in Texas, in 1800, by armed Mexicans under 
Leandro Eamirez. — (See deposition Xo. 88.) 

James F. Scott testifies that A. J. Cook was murdered on tbe bigbway, 
in the Nueces Valley, in 1807, by Mexicans. — (See deposition No. O^.) 

WiUiam Burke, lieutenant of State police, testifies that Ius[)ector 
Dupont was murdered in sight of Brownsville, by Mexicans, in 1809 or 
1870 —(See deposition No. 4.) 

WiUiani Kelly, justice of the peace, testifies that Inspectors Ham- 
mond and Phelps were murdered, and Inspector Eyan wounded, at 
CUirksville on December IS, 18()1), by armed Mexicans, who crossed from 
Bagdad for the purpose. — (See deposition No. 149.) 

Mary G. ClarJ: confirms the above. The Mexicans robbed her resi- 
dence and murdered Inspector Ilamuioud in her presence. — (See deposi- 
tion No. 147.) 

WiUiam Burlce, lieutenant of State police, testifies that Br. Cleveland 
was murdered by Mexicans seventy miles from Brownsville in 1870. — 
(See deposition No. 4.) 

William. Burke, lieutenant of State police, testifies that in 1871 John 
Clark and Pat Fox were murdered by Mexicans, eight and seventy-five 
miles respectively from Brownsville, as well as Inspector McLaughliu, 
killed in Live Oak County. — (See deposition No. 4.) 

William Burke, lieutenant of State police, testifies that Inspector 
Miller was wounded by Mexicans at White's ranch in 1871. — (See de- 
position No. 4.) 

Bichard King testifies to the murder of Carl Specht, his traveling com- 
panion, on July 31, 1872, near Corpus Christi, Texas. It was dark when 
the attack on the ambulance was made; witness believes the murderers 
to have been Mexicans. — (See deposition No. 89.) 

Henry Simeon and Crespin Pena testify to the murder of their com- 
panion Joseph Alexander, of Brownsville, on August 11, 1872, near 
Eelampago ranch, by one Francisco Perez, (alias " Chicon,") a sub- 
lieutenant of Cortina's forces. The murderer was mounted, ami stopped 
the ambulance, tiring without the slightest provocation at Mr. Alexander, 
killing him instantly, and immediately escaping to Mexico. — (See depo- 
sitions Nos. 30 and 37.) 

No date given. 

Victor Morel testifies that an American named Packett, also J. W. 
TJten and a. number of others, at Eio Grande City, were murdered by 
Mexicans. — (See deposition No. 159.) 

Note. — Unofdcial mention is made of the murders of Captain Hatch, 
Mr. Murdoch, and a shoemaker, name unknown, at Corpus Christi, all 
these being by Mexican marauders or desperadoes, and occurring, as 
well as the murders of Alexander and Specht, while the United States 
commission was in session at Brownsville. Sheriff Martin was also 
shot at Eio Grande City by a Mexican escaping to that Territory. 
The details of these cases have not been obtained. 

Extracts from the evidence and. references touching murder and violence 

by Indians. 

Lieutenant-Colonel A . McD. McCook, Tenth Infantry, U. S. A., testifies as 
to the Kickax)oo Indians, their habits, haunts ; that they live near Santa 



38 L'EPORT OF FXITED STATES COMMISSIONEKS TO TEXAS. 

Eosa,iD the State of Coalinila, from whieli point tlioy raid on the Upper 
Eio Grande Valley. Tliey are fostered by the State authorities, and 
refuse to return to the United States. 

About Deeember 1, 1871, they raided into Texas, killed one or two 
herders iu the employ of l)on Santos/Benavides. They ])luudered and 
returned to Mexico, being trailed by Senor M. Castanedo, a Mexican 
customs official, as far as their cami) in Mexico. — (See deposition 1; 
see deposition of Senor Castaiiedo in Doc. 14, taken before S. Jarvis.) 

Thomas F. Wilson, United States consul at Matamoras, confirms the 
above. Witness saw at "El Sauz'' rancho, thirty-five miles above 
Laredo, a man dangerously wounded by Kickapoos, who had attacked 
and robbed the ranch the day before — disguised Mexicans supposed to 
have been of the party. There is a track of sixty to eighty miles o4:' river 
frontier between El Sauz rancho and Eagle Pass untenanted on account 
of the continual raids of these Indians. The Carrizo rancho is strongly 
guarded and fortified against these continual incursions. — (See depo- 
sition Xo. 2.) 

TJiaddeiis M. Bhodes testifies that the Carrizo Indians are noted cattle- 
thieves. Eafael or Boca Chica, one of their chiefs, was a great thief. 

In 1852 Indians from Mexico raided into Texas and broke up a grow- 
ing settlement at Edinburgh, murdered about ten Americans, and iu a 
skirmish wounded one of a party of rangers, sent to pursue them. 
State troops were called out at heavy expense, and kept in service four 
or six months. The Indians were from Lal3olsaand San Lorenzo, Mexico. 
The State expended $80,000 iu defensive measures, and the pilfering of 
these scattered Indians from the Mexican side has been kept up ever 
since. — (See deposition No. 21.) 

Alexander M. ISanders testifies that the Comanche Indians murdered 
Anastasio Cancamuela and others at Gonzakma ranch, attacking it in 
1838. 

Louis McGrath and wife were murdered by Comanches, near Laredo, 
in 1858. 

Comanches also murdered a number of shepherds in 1858, in Texas. 

In 1800 three persons traveling from Corpus Christi were killed by 
Indians from Mexico, near Encinal, in Starr County. These Indians also 
attacked Spencer's ranch. — (See deposition No. 28.) 

AjwUinario Hernandez testifies that the Carrizo Indians from Tam- 
aulipas, Mexico, are cattle-thieves, and raid iuto Texas. — (See depositio^i 
No. 37.) 

James Loic testifies that in September, 1870, a band of Kickapoo 
Indians murdered, at San Jose ranch, Texas, Thomas and Sarah String- 
field, wounded their eldest daughter and carried away two sons into cap- 
tivity, aged respectively two and eight years. — (See deposition No. 210.) 

The Iiidians referred to above passed out of Texas into Mexico, and 
were trailed by abandoned animals, &c. — (Letter of iMajor T. E. Ander- 
son, Tenth Infiintrv, to acting assistant adjutant general Department 
of Texas, October 10, 1870. 

Doeiimenfary references. 

1. Series of reports and tables showing continual murder, theft, and 
outrage on the Upper Bio Grande, the result of Indian depredations 
from Mexico, as well as details of Indian incursions in other parts of 
Texas.— (Document 14, current file. United States commission.) 

The Lipaus raid on Texas from Mexico, are backed by Mexican author- 
ities ; these officers are notified of their grave responsibility by Captain 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 39 

"Wilcox, United States Army. — (See letter of Captain Wilcox, Septem- 
ber 11, 1SC7 ; see report to assistant adjutant general Department of 
Texas, September 11, 1807.) 

CONCLUSION. 

In submitting a report of their investigations into tlie alleged out- 
rages committed on tbe ]>ersous and property of the citizens of Texas 
by armed bands of Mexicans and Indians, which is necessarily exjno-te 
in its character, the commissioners are thoroughly impressed with its 
shortcomings in fully grasping- the serious complications which have 
disturbed the peace and quiet of our southwestern border for so many 
years past. Extending back for twenty years and over a superficies 
exceeding one-half of the entire area of territory in the State of Texas, 
these frontier troubles are traceable directly to an unwise system of 
legislation regulating the commerce of the right bank of the IJio Bravo, 
which has made that frontier a rendezvous for the lawless, and a base 
of operations for an illicit traffic with the interior of Mexico and the 
United States, detrimental alike to the commercial i>rosperity of the 
two governments, and to the unorganized condition of society on the 
two banks of the Eio Grande, its natural sequence. 

The great difticulty experienced in dealing with the disorders incident 
to this frontier, is fully explained in the mistaken policy heretofore 
l^ursued in attempting to deal rather with the effect than the cause. 
To the absence of wholesome laws and honest agents to execute them 
may be traced the cause of these frontier feuds, while their effect is 
seen in a demoralized and unorganized condition of society, and the 
insecurity of life and property. That the civil authorities on the right 
bank of the Kio Bravo have been powerless to enforce their police regu- 
lations and to suppress the lawless bands that have operated from that 
frontier on the lives and i)ro])erty of the citizens of Texas, is notori- 
ously true, and, in the judgment of the commission, this condition of 
affairs on our southwestern border has assumed such a serious char- 
acter as to merit consideration on the part of the United States as to 
the propriety of adopting such measures as will i)rotect its territory 
from the incursions of hostile exi)editions coming from a neighboring 
power unable to enforce law and suppress violence v,ithin"its own 
borders. These outrages, when conjmitted within the borders of 
Texas, should i)roperly receive consideration at the hands of the 
local tribunals. "The perpetrators of these acts," says Mr. Conrad, 
Secretary of War in 1851*, " whether JMexicans or Auiericans, are not 
public enemies, to be encountered by the Army of the United States, 
but private malefactors, to be arrested and punitshed by the civil author- 
ities of Texas." How far the rule laid down by Mr. Conrad, and un- 
questionably correct under ordinary circumstances, holds good in con- 
sidering the measures necessary to protect our extensive and sparsely 
populated southwestern frontier, should be considered in connection 
with the causes which have brought these border difiiculties to the no- 
tice of the Governments of the United States and Mexico. On the 17th 
of March, 1858, a decree was issued by the sui)reme government of 
Mexico establishing a "free zone," its first article i)roviding that "all 
foreign merchandise intended for consumption in the city of Matamo)as 
and the other towns upon the bank of the Kio Bravo, Beynosa, Camargo, 
Mier, Guerrero, and Monterey Laredo, and the reciprocal commerce of 
these towns, shall be free from all imports, except the municipal and 
those collected to defray the expenses of the state." From the 



40 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

test of the first article of this decree it Avill be seen that a free 
zone six miles in width, and extending along the entire northern 
frontier of the State of Tamanlipas, is established, into which goods 
can be imported from foreign conntries free of duty. The right of the 
government of Mexico to regulate its cjommerce to meet the necessities 
of its treasury, cannot be questioned unless this right is exercised in di- 
rect conliict with its treaty stipulations with, and the peace and good 
order of, a neighboring power. To what extent the decree of 1858, 
issued by the sui>reme government of Mexico, comes in contiict with the 
treaties now existing between the United States and that power, and 
its observance tends to disturb the peace and good order on the right 
and left banks of the llio (^rande, is a question calling for the most 
serious consideration on the part of the Government of the United 
States. The Constitution and laws in force iu this country and Mexico, 
at the time of the ratification of the existing treaties between the two 
governments, formed the basis of the rule of intercourse between the 
two countries. The constitution of the republic of Mexico, at the time 
this decree was issued, as well as at the itresent time, prohibited the 
granting of " privileges " to one State of the union not enjoyed by all 
the States alike. Tiiat the " free zone" grants privileges to the inhab- 
itants of the northern frontier of Mexico not enjoyed by the people 
of any other i)art of that republic, cannot be controverted. That 
this "privilege" is granted so as to establish a depot for smuggling 
on our immediate borders, and is given to no other section of that 
country, is ecjually true. In violation of the spirit, if not the letter 
of the' existing treaties between the United States and Mexico, 
and in its operations inducing smugglers, adventurers, and thieves to 
flock to the right bank of the Eio liravo, from whence they depredate 
on our exposed frontier, under the protection of the Mexican civil and 
military authorities, this decree, iu its effect on the commerce and peace 
of the frontier, merits, in the juilgmeut of the commission, the earnest 
and serious consideration of this Government. To such an extent did 
this decree encourage snuiggliiig and lawlessness, that eminentMexican 
authority, at one time, estimated the floating population in the city of 
Matamoras at over forty thousand ; and so bold were these outlaws iu 
their operations, that within two years after the decree establishing this 
"free zone " was issued, they, to the number of three or ibur hundred, 
under the leadershii* of General Juan X Cortina, crossed from Mexico^ 
into Texas, attacked the city of Brownsville, murdered several citizens, 
engaged the United States troops between that city and liinggold Bar- 
racks, plundered the country through which they passed, and retired 
into Mexico. 

For the better protection of our frontier against these bands of out- 
laws, until measures can be adoi)ted by the United States to prevent 
their recurrence in the future, the commission recommend the employ- 
ment of a suflicient force of cavalry to enforce law and protect life and 
property on the Bio Grande. And should the best interests of the 
country make it inexpedient to weaken the posts now garrisoned by 
this class of troops, it is recommended that a regiment of volun- 
teers be raised, on the western frontier of Texas, for its protection, to 
be officered by officers of the Eegular Army of the United States, de- 
tailed for the'pnrpose, and to be used under the direction of the com- 
manding geneial of the Department of Texas. The strict discipline 
of the Kegular Army would, in our judgment, restrain the very 
natural tendency of volunteers to avenge indiscriminately individual 
wrongs. The commission, in making up their rei»ort, have taken 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 41 

cum grano salis many of the representations and mncli of the testimony 
given by persons residing on this frontier, mindful of tlie long-established 
friendship existing between the United States and the sister republic 
of Mexico; and that since the standard of Castile, after an ascendency 
of three hundred years, disappeared forever from the continent, the 
republic of Mexico has been rent with civil commotion, conspiracies, and 
insurrections. The commissioners have endeavored to point out with 
impartiality, in connection with the conduct of that government, the 
prime causes of these frontier complications, which, in their opinion, are 
ingrafted in the long-established frontier policy, and have been enforced 
by the army of that republic. • 
Kespectfully submitted. 

THOMAS P. EOBB, 
F. J. MEAD, 
RICHARD H. SAVAGE, 
United States Commissioners to Texas, 
Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State. 



APPENDIX. 



J. Class A.— Cortina raid, ]8o9. 

2. Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle. 

'.i. Class C. — Imprisonment and outrage. 

4. Recapitulation. 

5. List of petitions. 

(J. List of depositions. 

7. List of documents. 

8. Schedule of indictments for murder and other outrages on the Rio Grande frontier, 1853 

to 1872. 



Class A. — Claims resulting from the Cortina raid of 1859. 



Claimant. 



Property taken or destroyed. 



Value in 
coin. 



Total. 



16 



28 



31 



Mrs. Jane Weyman, 
Brownsville. 



A. J. Y z n a g a, 
Brownsville. 

[Claimant has other 
claim, Class B, 
embraced in peti- 
tion 16.] 



Peter Champion, 
Florida ranch, 
Cameron County. 

[Claimant has other 
claims, Class B, 
in petition 28.] 

Francis M. Camp- 
bell, Brownsville. 

[Petitioner has 
claim for damages, 
Class C, embraced 
in petition 31.] 



GO cows, at$20 

Damages, loss of their rental, at $3 
per day 

40 cattle, at ftlo 

S horses, at $50 

Merchandise 

Tools 

Ritle 

Musket 

Saddle and bridle 

Damages of every kind 

Value of crops, animals, fences, 
household goods, dry-goods, gro- 
ceries, clothing, arms, money, &c., 
taken by Cortina's men 

House and fences and utensils 

burned and crops destroyed 

70 yoke oxen stolen, at $40 

10 horses, at $45 

I saddle-horse, rifle, revolver, and 
knife 

Deduct one yoke oxen reclaimed from 
Mexico 



$1,200 
3,600 



600 
400 
17 
25 
]2 
5 
20 



] , 079 
5, 000 



3, 504 



4,000 

2, 800 

450 

200 



7,450 
40 



1,800 



6,079 



3,504 



7,410 



44 EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
Class A. — Claims resulting from the Cortina raid of 1850 — CoutinnecL 



Claimant. 



Mifflin Kenedy, 
Brownsville. 



Mifflin Kenedy, 
Brownsville. 



W. D. Thomas, 
Lap^nna Tic Cano 
raucliero, Came- 
ron County. 

[Stock losses, with 
increase and cal- 
culated, claimed 
in Class B. ] 

Nicholas Channo, 
Rodeo Prietas ran- 
cho, Cameron 
County. 



.Josiah Turner El 
Galveston rancho, 
Cameron County. 
[Petitioner has 
further claims in 
Class B.] 

Francis R e a s t, 
Whi tesborough, 
Graj^son County. 
[Informal claim.] 



[Informal, received 
by mail "certified 
to on honor."] 



De.'jcription of propert;>-. 



Lost by Cortina raid, 3,135 head 
original stock from " San Salvador 
de Tule " rancho in 1859, which, 
witli calculated increase until 
LS72, amounts to 66,880 head, at 
|5IU - 

18 saddle-horses, at $60 

Merchandise stolen from store 

40 hides stolen , 

Attack on steamer Ranchero, and 
damages claimed for interruption 
of business, &c 

House burned by Cortina's men in 
1859 , 



80 saddle-horses stolen, at ."jiiCO 

Cart , 

4 mules, at $25 

3 saddles, at $10 

1 harness 

2 yoke oxen, at .$40 

4,300 cattle, at filO in 1.-59 

Increase on said cattle to 1872, 

87,433 cattle, at $10 

Value of house goods, &c., (1) 

Loss of time, suffering, and damages, 

{^■) 

100 cattle stolen, at $10 

Increase claimed, 2,13.'), at $10 

Interest, &c., on, (1 and 2) 

Dwelling and store-houses burned.. 

Merchandise stolen 

Household and kitchen furniture. ... 

Outhouses and fences 

27 head of cattle, at $8 

1 7 hogs, at $3 

2 yoke oxen, and cart 

2 shot-guns 

1 Colt's pistol 

2 fine rifles - - 

1 ferry-boat 

Clothing 

Money, (coin) , 

Damages and injuries 



Value in 
coin. 



38, 800 

1, 080 

7(50 

120 



250, 000 



1,500 



4,800 
50 
100 
30 
35 
80 
43, 000 

874,330 



5, 000 

5, 000 

1 , 000 

21,330 

1 , 000 



600 

2, 100 

300 

750 

216 

51 

150 

80 

25 

40 

175 

250 

74 

2, 000 



Total. 



1670, 760 

250, 000 
1,500 



922, 425 



33, 330 



6,811 

1,906,619 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 45 
Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle by theft. 



Claimant. 



Dominick Lively, 
Brownsville. 



Alexander Wierbis- 
ki, Brownsville. 



James H. Green, 
Brownsville. 



9 John A. Williams, 
Live Oak County. 
10 C ii a r 1 e s Fischer, 
Brownsville. 



11 James F. Scott, 
Nueceii County. 



12 Frank Byler, Nueces 
County. 



13 Thomas H. Clark, 
Banquete, Nueces 
County. 

14 I Martha A. Rabb, 
Banquete, Nueces 
County. 

15 Henry A. Gilpin, 
Fenitas ranch, 
Nueces County. 

16 Antonio J. Yznaga, 
Brownsville. 

[See Class A for 
other items.] 

17 John M c A 11 e n , 
Brownsville. 



18 Mary Churchill 
Lavaca County. 



19 Martha Byler, Ran- 
cho Mazanta, Nue- 
ces County. 

20 Louis R e n a ii d 
Brownsville. 



Description of property. 



100 cows, at $10 

Value of four horses, and damages, 
1870 to 1872 



10,500 cattle, at .$10, lost or stolen by 

Mexicans since August 20, 1866.. . 

Increase lost to claimant 



21 head of horses and mules, taken in 

1867 and 1b69 

Damages, breaking up business as 
mail-carrier 



Stock to the amount of . 



39 horses, taken in 1870 and 1871 

Damages, breaking up business as 
mail-carrier 



5,000 head of cattle, taken since 

August 20, 1866, at §10 

Increase lost, 20,000, at $10 



6,000 head of cattle, taken since 

August 20, 1866, at $ilO 

Increase, 24,000, at $10 



20,000 head of cattle, taken since 

August 20, 1866, at $10 

Increase, 80,000, at $10 



20,000 head of cattle, taken since 

August 20, 1866, at $10 

Increase, 80,000, at $10 



6,000 head of cattle, taken since 

August 20, 1866, at $10 

Increase, 24,000, at $10 



10,913 cattle, taken from 1859 to 1872 . 

at $10, (increase included) 

50 head of horses, at $60 



4,000 cattle, taken from 1666 to 1872, 

at $10 

Increase, 16,000, at $10 

250 horses taken, at $60 



500 cattle, taken from July 1, 1869, to 

1872, at $10 

Increase lost, 550, at $10 



500 head of cattle, taken since Au- 
gust 20, 1866, at $10 

Increase, 2,000, at $10 



Increase of his original stock, 1855 to 
1872, less cattle now on hand and 
sold, 8,344, at $10 



Value in 
coin. 



$1,000 
.500 



105,000 
245, 550 



2,000 
2,500 



1, 500 



2, 000 
1,500 



50, 000 
200, 000 



60, 000 
240, 000 



200, 000 
800, 000 



200, 000 

800, 000 



60, 000 
240, 000 



109, 130 
3, COO 



40, 000 

160,000 
15,000 



5, 000 

5, 500 



5, 000 
20, 000 



83, 400 



Amount. 



$1,500 
350, 550 

4, 500 

2,500 

3,500 
250, 000 
300, 000 
1, 000, 000 
1,000,000 
300, 000 
112, 130 

215,000 
10,500 
25, 000 
83, 400 



46 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle by theft — Continued. 



Iz; 



22 



23 



24 



Claimant. 



26 



29 



30 



33 



34 



R. King & Co., 
Brownsville. 



Ricliard King:, Santa 
Gertrudes, Nueces 
County. 



Hale & Parker, 
Brownsvill. 



Martin S. Culver, 
Banquete, Nueces 
County. 

Henderson Williams, 
Live Oak County. 



Albert Champion, 
Brownsville. 



Nicholas Champion, 
Floridas ranch, 
Cameron County. 



Peter Champion, 
F 1 o r i das ranch, 
Cameron County. 

[ See class A for 
other items.] 

Jose D. Garcia, 
Santa Rosalio 
ranch, Cameron 
Couuty. 

William Washintjton 
Staples, Live Oak 
County, Echo 
post-office. 

Simon Celaya, 
Brownsville. 



Ellen Pugh, Oak- 
ville. Live Oak 
County. 



Description of (property. 



108,336 cattle stolen between 1866 
and Noveaiber ] 1, 1869 

Increase. 1869 to 1872 

3,328 horses, between 1866 and 1869, 
at |;6U 

Increase, 1869 to 1872, 1,996 head . .. 

Losses between November, 1869, and 
1872, after deducting present stock 
sales, including increase, 33,827 
cattle, at $10 

Losses of horses, same calculation, 
978, at . 160 



6,000 head of cattle, taken between 
20th August, 1866, to 1872, at $10 . 

Increase lost, 24,000, at $10 

260 horses, at $60 



5,240 head of cattle, taken since Aug- 
ust 20, 1866, at $10 

Increase lost, 4,845, at $10 



Value in 
coin. 



$1,08.3,360 
1,083,360 

199, 680 
119,760 



338, 270 

58, 68t 



60, 000 

240, 000 

15,600 



4,435 cattle, taken siucc August 20, 

1866, at $10 a head 

Increase, 14,640, at $10 , 



Stock and increase, 1857 to 1872, less 
stock on hand, 38,200 

Horses and increase, 1857 to 1872, 
1,920 horses, at $30 



Cattle and increase, 1859 to 1872, less 
stock on hand, 17,720, at $lu 

Horses and increase, same calcula 
tion, 1,008, at $30 



Cattle and increase, 1859 to 1872, de- 
ductingstock on hand, 19. 150 head, 
at$i0 '. 

Horses, 1859 to 1872, same calcula- 
tion, 2,400, at $30 



Cattle and increase, 1852 to 1872, 
less stock on hand, 13,066 cattle, 
at $10 

20 yoke oxen stolen, at $50 a yoke. .. 

Cattle stolen 20th August, 1866, to 

1872, 2,175 head, at $10 

Increase lost, 8,675, at $10 

6 horses at $125 



Loss of original stock and increase, 
Augsut 20, 1866, to 1872, 3,282 
cattle at $10 



1,280 cattle stolen, August 20, 1866, 

to 1872, at $10. 
Increase lost, 3,000, at $10 



52, 400 

48, 450 



44, 350 
146,400 



Amount. 



382, 000 
57, 600 



177, 200 
30,240 



191,500 

72, 000 



130, 660 

1,000 



21,750 

86, 750 

750 



32, 820 



8,200 
30, 000 



$2, 486, 160 



396, 950 



315, 600 



100,850 



190, 750 



439, 600 



207,440 



263, 500 



131,660 



109,250 



32, 820 



36, 200 



EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COIMMISSIOXERS TO TEXAS. 47 
Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle hy theft — Contimied. 



Claimant. 



Thomas Pugh, Oak 
ville, Live Oak 
County. 

Patrick Pngh, Oak- 
ville, Live Oali 
County. 

Catherine Wallace, 
S a u Diego, 
Duval County. 



E. J. Nickcrson, 
Buena Vista 
ranch, Nueces 
County. 



Thomas W. Uzzell, 
Nueces County. 



Justo Lopez, 
"Topo" Ranch, 
Cameron County. 



Juan Perez, Santa 
Rosalia ranch, 
Cameron County. 



Juan Salinas, El 01- 
mito ranch, Cam- 
eron County. 

Francisco Yturria, 
Punta del Monte 
rancho, Cameron 
Coum.y. 



Adolphus GUevecke, 
Capitaueua ranch, 
Cameron County. 



Cornelius Stillman, 
Santa Rosa ranch, 
Cameron County. 



Description of property. 



1,280 cattle stolen, August 20, 186G, 

to 1872, atflO 

Increase lost, 5,000, at $10 

350 cattle lost, August 20, 1866, to 

1872, at $10 

Increase lost, 1,400, at $10 

Loss, by theft, of 1,800 cattle, from 

August 20, 1866, to 1872, at $10 

Loss, by theft, of 200 horses, in same 

time, at l|40 

Increase lost — 

3,500 cattle, at $10 

400 horses, at $40 

Stallion stolen in 1869 

Stallion stolen in 1871 

Stallion stolen in 1 872 

Stolen since August 20, 1866, 47 
horses, at $ 45 

Mare stolen June 1 , 1 866 

7 horses stolen, 1870 and 1871 

Cattle stolen since April 1, 1871, 500, 
at $10 

60 cattle, at $10 

Increase, 1860 to 1870, (900) 

26 horses and increase, I860 to 1872, 

416, at fay 

Deduct for 30 cattle, now ou hand, 
at $10 

Cattle and increase, 1857 to 1872, 
3,520, at $10 

Deduct for 50 head on hand and sold 
at $10 

Cattle to the value of $2,000 stolen 
since 1869 

1,500 cattle stolen, since August 20, 

1866, at $10 

Increase of above loss, 6,000, at $10.. 

800 cattle lost since 1869, at $!(• 

Increase of these to 1872, 800 

1,500 cattle, in 1859, and their in- 
crease to 1872, less 300 now ou 
hand, (31 ,700 cattle, ) at $10 

50fine horses, stolen since 1859, at $60 

10,880 cattle, at $10, original head 
and increase, stolen from 1859 to 
1872 

100 saddle horses, at $60, stolen in 
1 859, and since 

Damage at Santa Rosa 



Value in 
coin. 



^12,800 
50, 000 



3, .500 
14, 000 



18, 000 

8,000 

35, 000 
16, 000 



275 
350 

400 

2,115 



415 

,000 



600 
9,000 

12,480 



22, 080 
300 



35, 200 
500 



2, 000 



15,000 
60, 000 

8,000 
8,000 



317,000 
3,000 



108,800 

6,000 
114,800 



Amount. 



>, 800 



17, 500 



77, 000 



3,140 



5, 490 



21,780 

34, 700 
2, 000 

91,000 
320, 000 



48 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
Class B. — Casiial losses of horses and cattle hy theft — Contiuned. 



Claimant. 



Laiireles rancho 
Neuces County. 



Dimas de Torres Ve- 
lasquez, A uaceuas 
Altas rancli, Cam- 
eron County. 

Lino Saldana, Buena 
Vista ranch, Cam- 
eron County. 

Juan Torre Valle, 
Los Indios ranch, 
Cameron County. 

W. D. Thomas, La- 
guna Tio Cano 
ranch, Cameron 
County. 

[See Class A for 
other items.] 



George Krau.se, Ca- 
pitanena ranch, 
Cameron County. 

Josiah Turner, El 

Galveston ranch, 

Cameron County. 

[SeeCla,ss A for 

other items. ] 

Henry Scott, Refu- 
gio County. 



Perry Doddridge, 
Encinal and Tu- 
loso ranchos, Nu- 
eces County. 

William B. Hatch, 
Ingleside rancho, 
San Patricio 
County. 

Calvin Wright, 
"Lost Ferry" 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 

Reuben Curtis, Cur- 
tis rancho, Nue- 
ces County. 

Joseph Wright, jr., 
E speranza 
rancho, Nueces 
Couuty. 



Description ofi property. 



Loss, 14,440 in J868, and their cal- 
culated increase, (38,506 total,) at 

m ■ 

7,89:5 head of cattle, stolen since 1868, 
at iji]0, or stock and increase, less 
amount on hand 

550 cattle, and their calculated in- 
crease from August 20, 1866, 2,580, 
at $10 

188 cattle, and their increase since 
August 20, 1866, 1,040, at $10 ... 

94 head of horses, stock, stolen 1859, 
at $60 and $30, (42 horses, at $60 ; 
52 mares, at $30) 

Value mares and iuprease, 1,009, at 
$30 -. 

1 50 cattle, stolen in 18.59 

Increase to 1 872, 3, 050, at $ 1 

800 hogs, stolen in 1859, at $2 

Increase, 16,266, at $2 

60 head of cattle, in 1854, at $10... 

Increase lost, 1854 to 1872, 3,780 head, 

at$10 

50 flue horses, stolen from 1866 to 
1872, at $60 



Lo.ss, 25 saddle-horses in 1860, at $75, 
Interest on above, 8 per cent, to 1872. 

Loss 1 40 head mares, at $50 

Increase lost, 900, at $20 



Original stock of August 20, 1866, 

stolen, 12,000 cattle, at $10 

Increase lost, 28, 000, at $10 



Original stock of 1866, 3,500 cattle, 
at$IO 

Increase lost, 10,000 cattle, at$'/0.. 

Original stock of August 20, 1866, 

stolen, 6,500 cattle, at $10 

Increase lost, 26,000 cattle, at $10. . 

Original stock of August 20, 1866, 

stolen, 1,900 cattle, at $10 

Increase lost, 6,500 cattle, at $10.. . 

Original stock of August 20, 1866, 

stolen, 1,000 cattle, at $10 

Original stock stolen, 60 horses, at $40 
Increase lost — 

2,000 cattle, at $10 

200 horses, at $40 



Value in 
coin. 



$385, 060 



78, 930 

25, 800 
10,400 

2,520 

33, 270 
1 , 500 

30, 500 
1,600 

32, 532 



600 
37, 800 



3,000 



1,875 

1,800 

7,000 

18,000 



120,000 

280, 000 



35, 000 
100, 000 



65, 000 
260, 000 



19,000 
65, 000 



10,000 
2, 400 

20, 000 

8, 000 



Amunt. 



$499, 860 
78, 930 

25, 800 
10, 400 



101,922 

38, 400 
3,000 



23, 675 
400, 000 
135, COO 
325, 000 

84, 000 

40,400 



65 



66 



67 



68 



69 



71 



72 



73 



74 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONEES TO TEXAS. 49 
Class B.— Casual losses of horses and cattle hy f/«^Y— Continued. 



Cliimant. 



Margaret JM e u 1 y , 
Meuly's, Pintas 
rancho, Nueces 
Coimty. 



Thomas O'Connor, 
Connor's rancho, 
Refugio County. 



Robert D r i s c o 1 1 , 
Cliocolate ran- 
cho, Refugio 
County. 

Estate, J. J. Alsop, 
Alsop's ranclio, 
Nueces County. 



Mosely James Terry, 
Choat's rancbo, 
San Patricio 
County. 



Samuel H. Smith, 
Aransas rancho, 
San Patricio 
County. 

Younge Coleman, 
Coleman's rancho, 
San Patricio 
County. 



Heirs of David Gar- 
ner, (deatl,) Bra- 
gado rancho, San 
Patricio County. 

Alouzo A. Deavalon, 
Murdock's rancho, 
Nueces County. 

John Washington 
Vineyard, Ingle- 
side rancho, San 
Patricio County. 



Desciiption of jjroptrty. 



Value in 
coin. 



Original stock of August 20, 1866, 
stolen. 12 000 cattle, at $10 

Original stock horses, 4:^, at $40 

Increase claimed on 48,000 cattle, at 
$10 



Original stock of 1866 stolen, 30,000 
cattle, at $10 

Increase claimed, 120,000 cattle, at 
$10 



Original stock of August 20, 1866, 
stolen, 18,500 cattle, at $10 

Increase claimed, 72,000 cattle, at 
$10 



Original stock, 1866,lost, 3,500 cattle, 

at $J0 

Original stock, 53 horses 

Increase lost — 

14,000 cattle, at$10 

212 horses, at $40 



Original stock of 1866 lost- 

6,000 cattle, at $10 

300 horses, at $40 

Increase claimed — 

20,000 cattle, at $10. ... 
1,000 horses, at $40 



Original stock of 1866, 8,500 cattle, 
at$10 

Increase lost, 30,000 cattle, at $10... 



Original stock of 1866 — 

10,000 cattle, at $10.. 

500 horses, at $40 

Increase lost — 

40,000 cattle, at $10.. 

2,000 horses, at $40... 



Original stock of 1866, 5,500 cattle, 

at $10 

Increase, 20,000, at $10 



Original stock of 1866— 

5,500 cattle, at $ 10 

35 horses, at $60 

Increase lost, 20,000 cattle, at i 



Original stock of 1866— 

3,500 cattle, at $10... 

2,000 horses, at $40.. 
Increase lost — 

14,000 cattle, at $10.. 

8,000 horses, at $40.. 



$120,000 
1,720 

480, 000 



300, 000 
1,200,000 



185, 000 
720, 000 



35, 000 
2, 120 

140,000 

8,480 



60, 000 
12,000 

200, 000 
40, 000 



85, 000 
300, 000 



100, 000 
20, 000 

400, 000 
80, 000 



55, 000 
200, 000 



55, 000 

2, 100 

200, 000 



35, 000 

80, 000 

140, 000 
320, 000 



Amount. 



$601,720, 

1,500,000' 

905, 000 

185, 600 

312, 000 

385, 000 

600, 000 
255, 000 

257, 100 
575, 000 



50 EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle hi/ theft — Continued. 



Claimant. 



Cornelius C. Cox, 
Cux's raucho, Live 
Oak County. 



Henry W. Berry, 
Puerta de Agua 
Dulce r a n e b o, 
Nueces County. 

Heirs of E. P. 
White, (died,) 
White's rancho, 
San Patricio 
County. 

M a t h e w Givens, 
Givens's rancho. 
Live Oak County. 

Thomas M.Colemau, 
Coleman's rancho, 
San Patricio 
County. 

James D. Re ed, 
Reed's rancho, Go- 
liad County. 

Fanny A. Richard- 
son, Richardson's 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 

William Woodson 
Wright, Banquete 
ran cho, Nueces 
and Duval Coun- 
ties. 

Alice J. Clark, 
Clark's r a ncho, 
Nueces County. 



John H.Wood, Chil- 
tapin rancho, 
Refugio and San 
Patricio Counties. 



Thomas C.Wright, 
Wright's rancho, 
Nueces County. 



Description of property. 



Original stock of 1866 — 

3,075 cattle, at |I0 

89 horses 

Increase lost — 

12,300 cattle, at §10 

356 horses, at .$40 

Original stock of 1866, 2,500 cattle, 
at$10 

Increase lost, 10,000 cattle, at SlO. . . . 

Original stock of 1866, 10,000 cattle, 
at $10 

Increase lost, 40,000 cattle, at §10 

Original stock, 1866, 1,500 cattle, at 
$10 

Increase lost, 4,500 cattle, at §10 

Original stock, 1866, 8,000 cattle, at 

§10 

Increase lost, 10,000, at §10 

Original stock, 1806, 6,500 cattle, at 

§10 - 

Increase lost, 26,000 cattle, at §10... . 

Original stock, 1866, 800 horses, at 
§iO 

Increase lost, 3,000, at §40 

Original stock, 1866, 13,000 cattle, at 
§10, 

25 horses, at $75 

Increase lost, 50,000 cattle, at §10. .. 

Original stock, 1806, 6,000 cattle, at 

§10 

50,000 horses, at §40 

Increase lost, 24,000 cattle, at $10.. 
200 horses, at §40 

Original stock, 1866, 27,000 cattle, at 

§10 

2,500 horses, at §40 

Increase lost, 108,000 cattle, at §10.. 
10,000 horses, at |40 

Original stock, 1866, 1,200 cattle, at 
§10 

12 horses, at §40 

Increase lost, 4,000 cattle, at $10 .... 



Value in 
coin. 



§30, 750 
3, 560 

123, 000 
14,240 



25, 00(J 
100,000 



100, 000 
400, 000 



15,000 
45, 000 



80, 000 
100,000 



65, 000 
260, 000 



32, 000 
120,000 



130, 000 

1,875 

500, 000 



60, 000 

2,000 

240, 000 

8,000 



270, 000 

100,000 

1 , 080, 000 

400, 000 



12, 000 

480 
40, 000 



Amount. 



§171,550 
125, 000 
500, 000 

60, 000 
180,000 
325, 000 
152, 000 

631,875 

310, 000 

1,850,000 
52 480 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 51 
Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle hy theft — Continued. 



Claimant. 



Sterling N. Dobie, 
Dobie's rancho, 
Live Oak County. 



Thomas John 
Noakes, M o 1 1' s 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 

William Hobbs, 
rancho at Guildes 
Mott's, Nueces 
County. 



Benjamin A. Ben- 
nett, Bennett's 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 

Henry Scott, ran- 
cho Refugio, Ref- 
ugio County. 



Josiah Elliff, Meu- 
ly's rancho, Nue- 
ces County. 



William L. Rogers, 
rancho Moraillo, 
Nueces County. 



Mary E. Dreyer, 
Dreyer's rancho, 
Nueces County. 



Frost Thorn Allen, 
San Vicente 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 



William Miller, Pas- 
saloto rancho, 
Bee County. 



Description of property. 



Original stock, 1866 — 

4,000 cattle, at $10 

125 horses, at $40 

Increase lost — 

16,500 cattle, at $10 

5U0 horses, at $40 

Original stock, 1866, 1,000 cattle, at 
$10 

Increase lost, 4,000 cattle, at $10 

Original stock, 1866 — 

1,500 cattle, at $10 , 

30 horses, at $40 

Increase, lost — 

6,000 cattle, at $10 , 

120 horses, at $40 

Original stock, 1866, 7,000 cattle, at 

$10 

Increase lost, 28,000 cattle, at $10. .. 

Original cattle, 1866— 

3,000 cattle, at $10 

200 horses, at $40 

Increase lost — 

12.000 cattle, at $10 

800 horses, at $40 

Original stock, 1866 — 

400 cattle, at $10 

1 6 horses, at $50 

Increase lost, 1,600 cattle, at $10 

Original st6ck, 1866— 

1,000 cattle, at $10 

800 horses, a l $40 

Increa.se lost — 

4,000 cattle, at $10 

3,200 horses, at $40 

Original stock, 1S(!6 — 

6,000 cattle, at $10 

20 horses, at $50 

Increase lost, 17,000 cattle, at $10... 

Original stock, 1866 — 

5,000 cattle, at $10 

200 horses, at $40 

Increase lost — 

20,000 cattle, at $10 

800 horses, at $40 

Original stock, 1866, 8,000 cattle, at 
|10 

Increase lost, 30,000 cattle, at $10 . .. 



Value in 
coin. 



$40, 000 
5, 000 

165, 000 
20, 000 



10, 000 
40, 000 



15,000 
1,200 

60, 000 
4,800 



70, 000 

280, 000 



30, 000 
8, 000 

120, 000 
32, 000 



4,000 

800 

16,000 



10,000 
32, 000 

40, 000 

128, 000 



60, 000 

1,000 

170,000 



50, 000 
8,000 

200, 000 
32, 000 



80, 000 
300, 000 



Amount. 



$230, 000 
50, 000 

81,000 
350, 000 

190,000 
20, 800 

210,000 
231 , 000 

290, 000 
380,000 



52 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 

Class B. — Casual losses of horses and cattle hy theft — Continued. 



o 

d 


Claimant, 


Description of property. 


Value in 
coin. 


Amount. 


96 


Jnlia McGregor 
Vetter, Nueces 
County. 

J. Williamson Moses, 
the Charco Largo 
rancho, Nueces 
County. 

Eliza A. Smith, 
Batysville ran- 
ch o, Nueces 
County. 

George Allen, Allan- 
dale rancho, San 
Patricio County. 

Sebastian Be all, 
Beall's rancho, 
Live Oak County. 

James Lo\ve,Lowe's 
rancho, McMul- 
len County. 


Original stock, 1866, 3,500 cattle, at 
$il0 


$35, 000 
140,000 






Increase lost, 14,000 cattle, at ^10 

Original stock, 1866 — 

1,800 cattle, at $10 


$175,000 


97 


18,000 
20, 000 

70, 000 
60, 000 




500 horses, at $40 






Increase lost— 
7,000 cattle, at !|10 






1 ,500 horses, at $40 






Original stock, 18G6, 2,0C0 cattle, at 
§10 


168, 000 


9S 


20, 000 
45, 000 




Increase lost, 4,500 cattle, at $10 

Original stock, 1866, 26,000 cattle, at 
$J0 


65, 000 


99 


260, 000 
850, 000 




Increase lost, 85,000 cattle, at $10 . .. 

Original stock, 1866 — 

4 500 cattle, at $10 


1,110,000 


100 


45, 000 
32, 000 

90, 000 
64,000 




800 horses, at $40 






Increase lost — 

9,000 cattle, at $10 






1 ,600 horses, at $40 






Original stock, 1866 — 

25 000 cattle, at $10 


231,000 


101 


250, 000 

5,400 

300, 000 




1 35 horses, at $40 






Increase lost, 30,000 cattle, at $10. .. 


r,nr. aoo 










25, 049, 722 



Class C. — Imprisonment and outrage. 



a 

a; 
o 
d 


Name. 


Class of outrage. 


Amount. 


4 


Francis C. Mason, Browns- 
ville. 

Emilio C. Forto, Browns- 
ville. 

Charles R. Chase, Browns- 
ville. 


Arrest while on the waters of the Rio 
Grande, and unjust detention and im- 


$25, 000 00 


5 


Same cause of complaint .... 


25, 000 00 
25,000 00 


7 


Same cause of complaint ...... ...... .... 







EEPEOT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 53 
Class C. — Imprisonment and outrage — Continued. 



a 
.2 

a 

o 
6 


Name. 


Class of outrage. 


Amount. 


8 


Jules Gerard, Speakesville, 
La Vaca County. 

Francis M. Campbell, 
Brownsville. 

Mary Catherine Clark, 
Clarksville, Cameron 
County. 

William Mevius, Browns- 
ville. 

George Marc, Brownsville . . 

William Baker, Browns- 
ville. 

William Kelly, Browns- 
ville. 

Joseph Walsh, Matamoras. 


Same cause of complaint . 


$25,000 00 

100,000 00 

2, 000 00 

100,000 00 


31 
32 

47 


Damages claimed for his imprisonment 
during the Cortina raid of 1859 

Robbery of her house at Clarksville on 
December 18, 18i)6, of money, jewelry, 
&c., by an armed band of Mexicans ... 

Outrage at Bagdad, Mexico, and his sub- 
sequent unjust imprisonment at Mata- 


48 




100,000 00 


55 




100, 000 00 
150,000 00 


56 


Same cause of complaint, his imprison- 


102 


Negation of justice by the Mexican au- 
thorities at Matamoras, Mexico 


251,022 97 
903,022 97 



RECAPITULATION. 

ClassA $1,906,619 00 

Class B 25,049,722 00 

ClassC 913,022 97 



27, 859, 363 07 



List of petitions. 






1872. 




1 

2 
3 


August 
August 
August 


3 

5 

7 


4 


August 


10 


5 
6 


August 
August 


10 
10 


7 


August 


13 


8 


August 


13 


9 

10 


August 
August 


14 
15 


11 


August 


17 



Dominick Lively 

Jane Weyman 

Alexander Wierbiski . 

Francis C. Mason 

Emilio C. Forto , 

James H. Green 

Jules Gerard . 

Charles R. Chase 

John R. Williams 

Charles Fischer 

James Ferguson Scott 



$1,500 00 

4,800 00 

350,550 00 

25,000 00 

25,000 00 

4,500 00 

25,000 00 

25,000 00 

2,500 00 

3,500 00 

250,000 00 



54 REPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
List of petitions. — Contiuned. 




1872. 




August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


2U 


August 


20 


August 


20 


August 


24 


August 


26 


August 


28 


August 


28 


August 


28 


August 


^8 


August 


28 


August 


28 


August 


28 


August 


29 


August 


oO 


August 


30 


August 


:io 


August 


ol 


August 


:j| 


August 


:n 


August 


31 


August 


31 


August 


31 


August 


31 


September 10 


September 12 


September 12 


Septeuibei 


13 


September 14 


Septembei 


16 


September 16 


Septembei 


18 


Septembei 


21) 


September 21 


Septembei 


21 


September 21 


Septembei 


21 


Septembei 


24 


September 24 


Septembei 


2o 


Septembei 


•2b 


Septembe 


•27 


Septembe 


•2b 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 



Frank Bvler 

Thomas H. Clark , 

Martha A. Rabb 1^.. 

Henry A. Gilpin 

Antonio J. Yznaga 

John McAlleu, (guardian) .. 

Mary Churchill 

Martha Byler 

Louis Reuaud 

R. King & Co -. 

Richard King 

Hale & Parker 

Martin S. Culver 

Henderson Williams 

Albert Champion 

Nicholas Champion 

Peter Cliampion 

Jose D. Garcia 

William Washington Staples 

Francis M. Campbell 

Mary C. Clark 

SJmon Celaya 

E Hen Pugh 

Thomas Pugh 

Patrick Pugh 

Catherine Wallace 

E. J. Nickerson 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Thomas W. Uzzell 

Justo Lopez 

Juan Perez 

Juan Salinas 

Francisco Yturria 

Adolphus Glaevecke 

Cornelius Stillman 

William Mevius 

George Marc 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Dimas de Torres Velasquez . 

Lino Saldana 

JuanT.Valle 

W. D.Thomas -. 

George Krause 

William Eaker 

William Kelly 

Nicholas Channo 

Josiah Turner 

Henry Scott 

Perry Doddiidge 

William B. Hatch et al 

Calvin Wright 

Reuben Curtis 

Joseph Wright 

Margaret Meuly 

Thomas O'Connor 

Robert Driscc^ll 

Estate of J. J. Alsop 

M. J.Terry 

Samuel H. Smith 

Younge Coleman 

Estate of D. Garner 

Alonzo A. Deavalon 



$300,000 OU 


1,000, 


000 


00 


1,000, 


000 


00 


300, 


000 


00 


118,209 


00 


215, 


COO 00 


10, 500 00 


25,000 00 


83, 440 00 


2, 436, 


160 00 


396, 


950 


00 


315, 


600 


00 


100,850 00 


190, 


750 


00 


439, 


600 


00 


207, 


440 00 


267, 


004 


00 


131, 


660 


00 


109, 


250 00 


107 


4I0 00 


2, 


000 


00 


32, 8-20 


00 


38, 200 


00 


62 


800 


00 


17 


500 


00 


77 


000 


00 


3 


140 


00 


()70 


760 


00 


5 


490 


00 


21 


780 


00 


34 


700 00 


•> 


000 


00 


91 


000 00 


320, 


000 


00 


499 


860 


00 


100 


000 


00 


100 


000 


00 


250 


000 


00 


78,930 00 


25 


800 


00 


10,400 00 


103 


422 


00 


38 


400 


00 


100 


000 00 


150,000 00 


922 


425 


00 


36 


330 


00 


28,675 00 


400,000 00 


135 


000 


00 


325 


000 


00 


84 


000 


00 


40 


coo 


00 


601 


720 


00 


1,500 


000 


00 


905, 000 


00 


185 


600 


00 


312 


000 


00 


385 


000 


00 


600,000 00 


255 


000 


00 


257 


100 


00 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 55 
List of petitions — Continued. 




Petitioner. 



Amount. 



1852, 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 3 
October 3 
October 3 
October 3 
Ocfober 3 
October 3 
November 21 
November 21 
November 21 
November 22 
Auo'ust 28 



.1. W. Vineyard 

C. C. Cox 

II. W. Berry 

Estate of E. P. White 

Matbew Givens 

Thomas M. Coleman 

J. D. Eced 

Fanny R. Ricbardsou 

W. W. Wright 

Alice J. Clark 

John H. Woods 

T. C. Wright 

S. N. Dobie 

T. J. Noakes 

William Hobb» 

B. A. Bennett 

Henry Scott 

Josiah EllitY 

W. L. Rogers 

Mary E. Ureyer . . 
Frost Thorn Allen .. 

William Miller 

Julia M. Vetter 

J.W. Moses 

Eliza A. Smith 

George Allen 

Sebastian Beall 

James Lowe 

Joseph Walsh 

Francis Reast * 

Total 



$575, 
171. 



000 00 
550 00 



]25, 


000 


GO 


500. 


000 


00 


(jO, 


000 


00 


180, 


000 


GO 


325, 


000 


00 


152, 


000 


GO 


6.51, 


875 


00 


310, 


000 


GO 


] , 850 


GOO 


00 


52, 480 


CO 


230 


000 


GO 


50 


000 


00 


81 


000 CO 


350,000 00 


190 


000 


GO 


20 


800 


00 


21(t 


000 00 


231 


000 


GO 


29U 


GOO 


00 


380 


000 


00 


175 


GOO 


00 


1G8 


GOO 


GO 


65 


Goy 


00 


1,110 


GOG 


00 


231 


000 


00 


555 


400 


00 


251 


022 


97 


(5 


811 


GO 


27, 859, 3G3 97 



List of depositions. 



Date. 



1672. 




July 


30 


August 


1 


August 


3 


August 


5 


August 




August 


o 


August 
August 


5 
5 


August 
August 
August 


5 
5 
5 


August 


o 


August 
August 
August 
August 

August 


5 
5 
6 
6 
6 



Name of witness. 



Lieutenant-Colonel A. McD, McCook, United 

States Army. 
Thomas F. Wilson, United States consul, 

Matamoras. 

William Burke, lieutenant State-police 

Francisco Martinez 

Albert Dean, inspector United States customs. 

Juan Sanchez 

Thomas C. Sheldon, inspector of customs 

Dominick Lively, deputy sheriff, &c 

Antonio Gutierrez 

Herman S. Rock, deputy hide-inspector 

Justo Lopez 

Marcos Sanchez 

Severiano Hinojosa 

Jacinto Hernandez 

W. D. Thomas 

Iguacio Garcia 

Carlos Esparza 

* Informal. 



To support — 



General evidence. 
General evidence. 



General 
Petition 
General 
Petition 
General 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
General 
General 
General 
General 
.General 
General 
General 



evidence. 

43. 

evidence. 

43. 

evidence. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

evidence. 

evidence. 

evidence. 

evidence. 

evidence. 

evidence. 

evidence. 



56 EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
List of depositions — Continued. 




1872. 




August 


f) 


August 


6 


August 
August 


(i 

7 


August 


/ 


August 


/ 


August 


8 


August 
August 


8 
8 


August 
August 


9 
9 


August 

August 


10 
10 


August 


12 


August 


12 


August 


12 


August 


12 


August 


13 


August 


13 


August 
August 


13 
14 


August 
August 


14 
14 


August 


14 


August 


14 


August 
August 


15 
15 


August 


15 


August 


IG 


August 


l(i 


August 
August 


17 
17 


August 


17 


August 
August 


17 

17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


17 


August 


19 


August 
August 


19 
19 


August 


19 


August 


19 


August 


19 


August 


19 


August 
August 
August 


19 
19 
19 


August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 


20 
20 
20 
20 
21 
22 
22 
22 



Mrs. Jane Weyman 

Caetano Rodriguez 

Thaddeus M. Rhodes, justice of the peace 

George W. Lowe 

Beuito Garcia 

Faustino do la Garza 

Alexander Wierbiski 

Anaclito Padron 

Ri carda Flores 

Alexander M. Sanders 

Tomas Vasquez 

Abbato Longoria 

Antonio Tigcrina 

Thomas J. Handy, inspector of customs . 

Justo Lopez 

Angel Aguirre 

Rudolfo Aguirre 

Henry Simeon 

Crespin Pena 

Apollinario Hernandez 

Francis C. Mason 

Emilio C. Forto 

Charles R. Chase, (two depositions) 

Elder B. Barton 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Charles Fischer 

James H. Green 

Juan Rodriguez 

Gregorio Villareal 

Ramon Garcia 

James F. Scott 

Frank Byler 

Frank Byler 

James F. Scott 

Jacinto Hernandez 

Gurniesiendo Casteneda 

Vicente Cavazos 

Francisco Rodriguez 

Francisco Muuguia 

Ramon Rodriguez 

Carlos Castaneda ., 

Francisco Munguia 

Ramon Rodriguez 

Mateo Nunez 

Frank Byler 

Frank Byler 

Frank By ler 

Valentine J. Clark 

James F. Scott 

James F. Scott 

James F. Scott 

Nicholas Champion 

Peter Champion 

Teodoro Garcia 

John Mc Allen 

John O. Thompson 

Eld-r B.Barton 

Timoteo Soils 

Casimiro Tamayo 

Juan Levrier 

Vicente Salazar 

Francisco Cantu 



Petition 2, 
Petition 2. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
Petition 3. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
Petition 3. 
Petition 3. 
Petition 3. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
General evidence. 
Petitions 4, 5, 7, 8. 
Petitions 4, 5, 7, 8. 
Petitions 4,5,7, 8. 
Petition 4G. 
Petition 3. 
Petition 10. 
Petition 6. 
Petition 6. 
General evidence. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 11. 
Petition 11. 
Petition 12. 
Petition 12. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 16. 
Petition 46. 
Petition 46. 
Petition 46. 
Petition 46. 
Petition 13. 
Petition 14. 
Petition 15. 
Petition 11. 
Petition 13. 
Petition 14. 
Petition 15. 
Petitions 26, 27, 28. 
Petitions 26, 27, 28. 
Petitions 26, 27, 28. 
Petition 17. 
Petition 17. 
Petition 17. 
Petitions 26, 27, 28. 
Petition 20. 
Petition 20. 
Petition 20. 
Petition 16. 



EEPORT OF UNITED STxiTES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 57 
List of depositions — Continued. 




1872. 

August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
Avigust 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
Aiigust 
August 
August 
August 
August 
Auo'ust 



22 
22 
22 
22 
23 
23 
23 
24 
26 
26 
26 
26 
27 
27 
27 
27 
27 
27 
27 
27 
27 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 
23 
'28 
28 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
29 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 
30 



Tomas Hinojosa 

Johu Fitch 

Thomas Beynoa 

Francis M. Campbell 

Ouofro Soils 

Francisco Solis 

Merced Keudon 

Louis Renaud 

Ricliard King 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Reuben Holbeiu 

Louis Renaud 

Thomas Beynou 

John Fitch 

Josiah Turner 

Desiderio Castaiieda 

Frank Byler 

James F. Scott 

Frederic Frank 

Bland Chamberlain 

Henry A. Gilpin 

Juan Perez 

Felipe Martinez 

Jose D. Garcia 

Reuben Holbein 

Alexander Wierbiski 

Richard King 

Thomas Beynon 

John Fitch 

Bland Chamberlain 

Pedro Wallace de Dougherty 

Elder B. Barton 

John Mc Allen 

Nicholas Champion 

Peter Champion 

Florencio Vidal 

Charles J. Murphy 

Santiago Alvarez 

Anselmo Longoria 

Juan Miguel Longoria 

Santos Longoria 

Tomas Sandoval 

Vittorio Sondoval 

Herman S. Rock, inspector of hides 

Richard King 

Reuben Holbein 

Valentine J. Clark 

Martin S. Culver 

Henderson Williams 

John Fitch 

James F. Scott 

William W. Staples 

Martin S. ^Julver 

Henderson Williams , 

Henderson Williams 

Martin S. Culver 

James F. Scott , 

Antonio Yznaga 

Martin S. Culver 

Martiu S. Culver 

Martin S. Culver 

Frederic Frank , 



Petition 16. 
Petition 12. 
Petition 12. 
Petition 49. 
Petitions 26, 
Petitions 26, 
Petitions 26, 
Petition 20. 
Petition 2!. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 20, 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 46. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 21. 
Petition 29. 
Petitions 29, 
Petition 42. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 2<'.. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 23. 
Petition 23. 
Petition 23. 
Petitions 26, 
Petitions26, 
Petitions 26, 
Petition 22. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 22. 
Petition 24. 
Petition 24, 
Petition 24. 
Petition 24. 
Petition 30. 
Petition 30. 
Petition 25. 
Petition 2a. 
Petition 25. 
Petition 25. 
General. 
Petition 15. 
Petition 12. 
Petition 19. 
Petition 19. 



27, 23. 
27, 28. 
27, 28. 



42. 



27, 28. 
27, 28. 
27, 28. 



58 EEPOET OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
List of depositions — Contiuued. 




1872. 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
August 
September 
September 
ScjJtember 
September 9 
September 9 
September 9 
September 13 
September lo 
September 13 

'September 13 

September 13 
September 13 
September 13 
September 13 
September 13 
September 14 
September 14 
September 14 
September 14 
September 16 
September 10 
September 1(3 
September 16 
September 16 
September 18 

September 18 

September 18 

September 18 

September 19 

September 20 
September 20 



September 21 
September 21 
September 21 
September 21 
September 21 
September 21 
September 21 
September 2) 
September 21 
vSeptcmber 23 
September 23 



Lino Barseuas 
Juan A. Kamirez . . . 

Placido Vera 

Antonio Yznaga 

Mary C.Clark 

W. "W. Staples 

William Kelly 

Henderson Williams 

W.W. Staples 

Henderson Williams 
Ultimio Sepulveda. 

W.W. Staples 

Henderson Williams 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Victor Morel 

Eugenio Zamora 

Pedro Vela 

Cecilio Vela 

Eamou Gaiza 

Alexander Wierbiski 
Alexander Wierbiski 
Justo Lopez 



Alexander Wierbiski 

Jose D. Garcia, (appended to petition 43) . 
Felipe Martinez, (appended to petition 43). 

Juan Perez, (appended to petition 43) 

Juan Sauchez 

Jacinto Hernandez 

Yudalacio Trcviuo 

Francisco Yturria 

Henry Klabn 

]"'rancis M. Campbell 

Pedro Lucia 

Jesus Tamayo 

Mariano T. Garza 

Adolphus Glaevecke 

Stephen Powers 

Ellison Covert 



William Mevius. 



Charles Best . . . 
Mifflin Kenedy. 
George Marc. .. 



Francis J. Parker. 
Pedro Cortina 



Manuel Eesendo 

D. G. Ramirez 

Lino Saldana 

D. G. Ramirez 

Juau Torre Valle 

Dlmas de T. Velasquez 

D. G. Ramirez 

Liua Saldaila 

D. T. Velasquez 

M. Kenedy 

Edward Downey 



Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
General 
General 
General 
General 
General 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 



3L 

31. 
31. 

s 16, 46. 
32. 
34. 
32. 
34. 
35. 
35. 
6. 
36. 
36. 
31. 

evidence, 
evidence, 
evidence, 
evidence, 
evidence. 
41. 
42. 
41. 



Petition 29. 

Petition 43. 
Petition 43. 
Petition 43. 
Petition 41. 
Petition 41. 
Petition 44. 
Petition 44. 
General evidence. 
Petition 39. 
Petition 44. 
Petition 44. 
Petition 31. 
Petition 45. 
Petition 31. 
Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 56. v 

Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 56. 
Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 56. 
Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 56. 
Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 56. 
General evidence. 
Petition 44. 



Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 



49. 
49. 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 59 
List of depositions — Coutiuued. 




1872. 
September 23 
September 23 
September 24 
September 24 
September 24 
September 24 
September 24 
September 24 
September 24 
September 25 
September 25 
September 25 

September 25 
September 2(J 

September 26 



September 


27 


September 


27 


September 28 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


2 


October 


•> 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 


October 


3 



George Thompson . . . 
Cornelio Vasquez. . . . 

W.D.Thomas 

John S.Ford 

Nicliolas Chamio . . . . 

Ysidro Martinez 

lUas Vasquez 

John S. Ford 

George Krause 

Adolphus Glaevecke . 

Henry Klahn 

Wilham Baker 



Albert Champion . 
Macedonia Luera. 



William Kelly 



Nicliolas Cbanno 

Mifflin Kenedy 

Jeremiah Galvan 

James Low 

E. J. Nickerson 

Avaristo Galvan 

Faustiuo Garza 

Juan Pena 

Findley H. Dubose 

Warren Wallace 

Thomas M. Coleman 

Eufus Dickey 

H.Scott 

Ramon Nabairro 

Juan Cisnero 

Cesario de Yroba 

Perry Doddridge 

Frost T.Allen 

H L. Dreyer 

William 13. Hatch 

Amos E. Hatch 

William E. Allen 

Calvin Wright 

William Black • 

Henry D. Allen 

C. Lovenskiold, (attorney) 

T.Hiues Clark 

William Wallace Wriglit.. 

Joseph Wright, jr 

T. C. Wright 

Frost Thorn Allen , 

Margaret Sleuly 

Joseph Wright, jr 

John Uhlinger 

Thomas O'Connor 

T.H.Clark 

Valentine J. Clark 

Robert DriscoU 

A.J. Martin 

Tobias C. Wood 

J.S. Ellifif .. .-_ 

Joseph Wright, jr 

W.W.Wright 

M.J.Terry 



Petition 49. 
Petition 45. 
Petition 53. 
Petition 49. 
Petition 45. 
Petition 33. 
Petition 33. 
Petition 53. 
Petition 54. 
Petition 54. 
Petition 53. 
Petitions 47, 48, 55, 

and 5G. 
Petition 53. 
Petitions 26, 27, and 

28. 
Petitions 47, 48 55, 

and 56. 
Pe'ition 57. 
Petition 46. 
General evidence. 
Petition 101. 
Petition 38. 
Petition 38. 
Petition 38. 
Petition 14. 
Petition 11. 
Petition 37. 
Petition 37. 
Petition 37. 
Petition 59. 
Petition 59. 
Petition 59. 
Petition 59. 
Petition 60. 
Petition 60. 
Petition 60. 
Petition 61. 
Petition ^l. 
Petition 61. 
Petition 62. 
Petition 62. 
Petition 62. 
Petition 63. 
Petition 63. 
Petition 63. 
Petition 64. 
Petition 64. 
Petition 64. 
Petition (io. 
Petition 65. 
Petition 65. 
Petition 66, 
Petition 66. 
Petition 66. 
Petition 67. 
Petition 67. 
Petition 67. 
Petition iJS. 
Petition ()8. 
Petition ()8. 
Petition 69. 



60 EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONEES TO TEXAS. 

List of depositions — Continued. 




258 

2G0 

261 

262 

263 

264 

265 

236 

267 

263 

269 

27U 

271 

272 

273 

274 

275 

276 

277 

278 

279 

280 

281 

232 

2S3 

284 

285 

286 

287 

288 

289 

290 

291 

292 

293 

294 

295 

296 

297 

298 

299 

300 

301 

302 

303 

304 

305 

306 

307 

308 

309 

310 

311 

312 

313 

314 

315 

3S6 

317 

31b 



1872. 

October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 



Samuel H.Smith 

F.H.Dubose 

S. H. Smith 

F.H.Dubose 

M.J.Terry 

Yonug-e Coleman 

T.M. Coleman 

T. O'Connor 

S. H. Smith, (agent) 

M.J. Terry 

Alonzo A. Deavalon 

Joseph Wright, jr 

Henry L. Dreyer 

J. W. Vineyard 

Benj. L. Vineyard 

Paniilo Chapa 

Mathew Givens 

T.Hiues Clark 

William Black 

Henry W, Berry 

Alonzo Montgomery 

Wilhelm Brannwinkel 

T. M. Colemua, (gnardian). .. 

T. M. Coleman 

Rufus J. Dickey 

Mathew Givens 

T.Hines Clark. _. 

.Toseph Wright, jr 

Thomas M. Cdeinan 

Robert DiiscoU 

Tobias C. Woo J 

Chas. Lovenskvioed, (agent). 

T.Hines Clark 

Thomas O'Connor 

Fanny R. Richardson 

T.Hines Clark 

W. W. Wiight 

W. W. Wright 

H.D. Allen 

T. Hines Clark 

Valentine J. Clark, (agent) . 

T. Hines Clark 

William W. Wright 

Tobias D. Wood, (agent). 



Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petitiuu 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Robert Driscoll \ Petition 



Tobias D. Wood 

T. Charles Wright 

Frost T. Allen... 

Joseph Wright, jr 

John S. McCampbell, (agent) 

Mathew Givens 

T. Hines Clark 

Thomas J. Noakes „ 

Frost T. Allen 

Joseph Wright, jr 

William Hobbs 

Joseph Wright, jr 

Frost T. Allen .' 

B. A. Bennett 

W. W. Wright 

T. H. Clark 

Henry Scott 



Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 



69. 
69. 

70. 
70. 
70. 
71. 
7.1 
71. 
72. 
72. 
73. 
73. 
73. 
74. 
74. 
74. 
75. 
75. 
75. 
76. 
76. 
76. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
78. 
78. 
78. 
79. 
79. 
79. 
HO. 
80. 
80. 
81. 
81. 
81. 
82. 
82. 
82. 
83. 
83. 
83. 
84. 
84. 
84. 
85. 
85. 
85. 
86. 
86. 
86. 
87. 
87. 
87. 
88. 
88. 
88. 
89. 
89. 
69. 
90. 



EEPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 61 
List of depositions — Continued. 



Date. 



Name of witness. 



To support — 



1872 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
September 28 
November 22 
October 31 
November 5 



Tobias D.Wood 

Robert DriscoU 

Josiah Elliff 

W. W. Wrij^ht.. 

Joseph Wright, jr 

William L. Rogers 

Frost T. Allen 

T. Hines Clark 

Mary E. Dreyer 

Henry L. Dreyer 

Henry Allen 

Frost. T. Allen 

Joseph Wright, jr 

H. L. Dreyer 

S. H. Smith, (agent)... 

Findley II. Dubose 

M. J. Terry 

Julia M. Vetter 

Julius Henry 

J. Williamson Moses .. 
H. G. Jennings, (agent) 

Clemente Flores .. . 

Florencio Vidal 

Cornelio Vasquez 

George Allen 

Amos S. Hatch 

V.J.Clark 

Sebastian Beall 

James Lowe 

Jackson S. Franklin... 

James Lowe 

Sebastian Beall 

Jackson S. Franklin... 

Joseph Walsh 

William Turner 

Francisco Palacio 



Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 
Petition 



90. 

90. 

91. 

91. 

91. 

92. 

92. 

92. 

93. 

93. 

93. 

94. 

94. 

94. 

95. 

95. 

95. 

96. 

9fi. 

97. 

98. 

57. 

57. 

57. 

99. 

99. 

99. 

100. 

100. 

100. 

lOl. 

101. 

101. 

102. 

53. 

53. 



List of documents on file. 



When filed. 



Description. 



1872. 
July 30 



July 
July 



August 
August 



30 
30 



July 30 

July 31 

July 31 

July 31 

August 7 



Letter of Lieutenant-Colonel A McD. McCook, United States Army, 

to assistant adjutant-general Department of Texas. 
Letter of the same to T. F. Wilson, United States consul at Matamoras. 
Report of the same to the assistant adjutant-general Department of 

Texas. 
Letter of the same to Captain Mifflin Kenedy. 
Letter Lieutenant-Colonel A. McD. McCook to Consul T. F. Wilson. 
Letter of Consul Wilson to General Miguel Palacios. 
Reply of General Miguel Palacios to Consul Wilson's letter, (No. 6.) 
Letter Major J. R. Anderson, United States Army, to the assistant 

adjutant-general sub-district of the Rio Grande. 
Letter L. H. Box to Judge Jeremiah Galvan. 
Letter L. H. Box to Colonel H. B. Clitz, commanding sub-district 

Rio Grande. 



62 REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXAS. 
List of documents on file — Continued. 



No. 




Descri])tion. 



11 

12 

13 

14 
15 

16 
17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 
24 

25 

26 

27 

28 
29 

30 
31 
32 

33 

34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 

46 



1872. 
August 

August 
August 

August 
August 
August 



13 

13 
13 

14 
24 

28 



September 14 

September 14 

September 14 
September 1 4 

September 14 

September 14 

September 18 
September 18 

September 23 

September 23 

September 23 

September 27 
September 27 

September 27 
October 3 
October 3 

October 3 



October 

October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 
October 



December 4 



Letter Rafael Gonzalez to William Schubardt, United States commer- 
cial agent at Piedras Negras. 

Translation of the above. 

Copy dispatch No. 81, William Schubardt, United States commercial 
agent, to the Department of State. 

File of twenty-three documents on Indian outrages. 

Power of attorney for recovery of stolen cattle to C. Tamayo. 

Official copy of proceedings of a meeting of citizens of Brownsville. 

Letter of committee of citizens of Brownsville to the president city 
council, Matamoras. 

Letter same committee to Judge A. Menchaca, of Matamoras, (B, ) 
and bis reply, (C.) 

Copy proceedings city council of Matamoras, Mexico. 

Letter Consul T. F. Wilson to Don Dyonisio Cardenas ( 1 ) and Consui 
Wilson (2) to F. J. Parker. _ 

Petition of committee of citizens of Brownsville to Judge A. Men- 
chaca. 

Circular Frank E. McManus, district attorney fifteenth judicial dis- 
trict of Texas, to rancheros. 

List of claims certified to, formerly, by H. D. Howlet, notary public. 

General affidavit of F. E. McManus, district attorney fifteenth judicial 
district, (with list of indictments.) 

List of bides imported into district o Corpus Christi, Texas, 1867 
to 1872. 

List of hides imported into district of Brazos Santiago, Texas, 1866 
to 1872. 

Certified copies twelve indictments against Juan N. Cortina, for 
murder, &c. 

Printed extract from Two Eagles, published at Laredo, Texas. 

List indictments, 1853 to 1872, for violent crime, Cameron County, 
Texas. 

Synoptical tables of the above indictments, from 1853 to 1872. 

Printed report grand jury Cameron County, November, 1859. 

Printed copy memorial of E. Downey, mayor. Senate Mis. Doc, No. 
19, 2d Sess. 4Jst Congress. 

Report on JSIexican invasions and of grand jury, Hidalgo County, 
Texas, April 5, 1872. 

The Cameron County grand jury on the border war, (printed,) April 
22, 1872. 

Printed original proclamation Juan N. Cortina, August 22,' 1872. ^ 

Printed translation Cortina's proclamation. A. Ximenes translator. 

Sample newspaper, with advertised stock-brands. 

Printed copy hide and stock law. 

Ranchero newspaper, August 5, 1871, account of cattle theft and fight. 

Brownsville Ranchero, July 28, 1872, advertised notices. 

Laredo Two Eagles, August 7, 1872, advertised notices. 

Brownsville Ranchero, August 13, 1872, murder J. Alexander. 

La Voz Publica, Matamoras, editorial on the American press. 

Translation of No. 43. 

Brownsville Sentinel, September 10, 1872, editorial and account murder 
of Captain Hatch. 

Extract letter of George H. Abbott, October 31, 1872, to the Honorable 
Secretary of the Treasury. 



REPORT OF UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS TO TEXxVS. 63 
Schedule of indictments for murder and outrage on the Bio Grande frontier. 

(Document 29.) 

1853 to 1863. No. 

Murder 8 

Assaults 8 

Conspiracy to murder 1 

Cattle-stealing 12 

Thefts, robbery, burglary 7 

Bringing stolen property into State 3 

Total 39 

Note. — The records from 1848 to 1853 were destroyed in the war of the rebellion. 

(Document 30.) 

1866 to 1872. No. 

Murder 40 

Assault 62 

Conspiracy to murder ,. 3 

Cattle-stealing 102 

TheftSj robbery, and burglary ]73 

Bringing stolen property into State 4 

Total 384 

Note. — No grand jury was empanneled between 1863 and 18G6, owing to the war. 

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